The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is the oldest, most representative and institutionally mature regional economic organization in the wider Black Sea area. Since 1992, in a changing and oftentimes adverse landscape, BSEC has proved time after time its resilience and continued pertinence, providing a much-needed regional forum for dialogue and interaction in a wide array of economic and social sectors. Its successful efforts to adapt and overcome challenges serve as a proof of the enduring commitment of the BSEC Member States to the objectives enshrined in the BSEC Charter for enhancing regional economic cooperation.
The Hellenic Republic is assuming the Chairmanship-in-Office of the BSEC Organization for a period of 6 months (1 July to 31 December 2026), under the motto: “Moving forward: Promoting regional economic cooperation in the wider Black Sea area”
On this basis, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will aim to foster the necessary consensus in order to resolve current affairs, overcome long-standing dead-locks and promote a forward-looking, proactive, efficient and effective, project-oriented and impact-driven BSEC, through the following main priorities:
- Promoting the implementation of the “BSEC Economic Agenda”
Promoting the implementation of the “BSEC Economic Agenda”, the main guiding document of the Organization, adopted in 2023, is key to its success and continued relevance in today’s fast-shifting world.
While recognizing that not all sectoral objectives contained therein can be pursued at the same time or at the same speed, a vigorous and coordinated effort is necessary, in order to produce concrete and tangible results.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship, based on the “Conclusions and Recommendations” contained in the “Report of the BSEC PERMIS Secretary General on the Implementation of the BSEC Economic Agenda”, will prioritize consultations on the re-assessment of the existing operational modalities of BSEC bodies, on the elaboration of ways to encourage and support project-oriented initiatives, on the increase of synergies with BSEC Related Bodies and on the development of new approaches to increasing BSEC’s outreach and public image.
- Promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of BSEC
Promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of BSEC has been a constant concern in the functioning of the Organization over the years and a permanent item on the Agenda of the Working Group on Organizational and Legal Matters.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will propose to proceed to an evaluation of the state of affairs on the implementation of existing BSEC Agreements and MoUs, aiming, in particular, to determine both targets already reached and areas where BSEC cooperation could be fruitfully expanded.
It will also propose to proceed to an assessment of the meetings of the BSEC Subsidiary Organs and other events, in recent years, in particular concerning the frequency of meetings and the level of participation by representatives of the Member States.
Last but not the least, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office will prioritize implementation of the “List of Suggestions to increase the efficiency of the working methods of BSEC”, adopted by the 51st Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (online, 19 December 2025), namely:
- the revision and harmonization of the Terms of Reference and Action Plans of the Working Groups, in line with the “BSEC Economic Agenda”;
- the synchronization and coordination between BSEC and its Related Bodies;
- the proactive and efficient coordination of BSEC Working Groups;
- the elaboration of relevant, substantive and result-oriented Agendas for the Meetings of BSEC Working Groups.
- Promoting the project-oriented character of BSEC
Promoting the project-oriented character of BSEC is expected to be substantially facilitated by the re-activation of the BSEC Project Development Fund (BSEC PDF), in 2025.
At the same time, it is recognized that the Manual of Operations of the BSEC PDF, approved in 2008, should be re-evaluated, in order, in particular, to simplify procedures, so as to increase the attractiveness of the Fund both to potential applicants and potential donors, including the BSEC Member States.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship, while prioritizing the replenishment of the BSEC PDF in line with previous Decisions of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, it will also propose to initiate an update of the Manual of Operations of the BSEC PDF.
- Promoting connectivity
Promoting connectivity across the wider Black Sea area is a central priority of the Organization, given the pivotal role of the region at the cross-roads of Europe, Asia and Africa. Enhancing connectivity would contribute to strengthening supply chains and improving the movement of goods, services, energy, and data; it would improve capacity, reduce waiting-time and bottlenecks and increase efficiency and sustainability; overall, it could play a critical role in enhancing regional economic integration, ensure resilience, and promote sustainable development across the region.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will prioritize the implementation of the Action Plans of the Working Groups on Transport, Energy and Information and Communication Technologies, as well as the implementation of the extensive set of relevant strategic documents and agreements (Memoranda of Understanding on the Facilitation of Road Transport of Goods, on the Coordinated Development of the Black Sea Ring Highway and on the Development of the Motorways of the Sea etc.), with the aim, in particular, to:
- promote the connectivity objectives of BSEC;
- highlight trans-regional, regional and national projects for advancing transport, energy, telecommunications, and logistics connectivity;
- extend and modernize transport, energy and digital networks and interconnections; and
- promote multimodal corridors.
- Promoting people-to-people contacts
Promoting people-to-people contacts is one of the most prominent BSEC objectives, recognized as an essential component and precondition for a flourishing regional cooperation. Based on the mutual respect and recognition of the rich cultural diversity of the BSEC Member States, cultural exchanges, educational cooperation and tourism can contribute significantly to fostering mutual understanding, strengthening ties among societies and developing a shared sense of regional identity.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will prioritize the implementation of the Action Plans of the Working Groups on Culture, Education and Tourism, which apply a well-structured set of objectives codified in the “BSEC Economic Agenda” and in previous Ministerial Declarations, with the aim to promote dialogue, networking, and the implementation of practical initiatives in culture, education and tourism.
In particular, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will support efforts to develop projects that showcase the region’s rich and diverse historical, cultural and artistic heritage, initiatives that nurture creativity and innovation and measures to ensure the preservation and promotion of cultural treasures, including through the use of new technologies; it will also encourage the sharing of best practices in educational matters, exchanges among students, academics, researchers and institutions, and support joint initiatives, in particular in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education, vocational education and training and enhancing inclusive education and social cohesion; finally, it will foster cooperation in promoting sustainable tourism, the natural assets and tourism potential of the BSEC Member States and encourage projects that highlight the attractiveness of the BSEC region as a unique tourism destination.
- Promoting the interaction of BSEC with partners and third parties
Promoting the interaction of BSEC with partners and third parties is key to securing the relevance of BSEC in the changing dynamics within the region and beyond; it increases the visibility of the Organization, it generates interest in its work and achievements and it creates opportunities for joint projects and access to financial support for promoting BSEC objectives; first and foremost, it allows BSEC to keep pace with new trends and adapt its tasks and work modalities to the most recent developments.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will prioritize contacts with other international and regional organizations, with the aim to share best practices and explore the possibilities for joint projects and the leverage of resources; in particular, it will promote increased engagement with the European Union, building on the previous positive cooperation with the European External Action Service and the European Commission and the shared willingness of the BSEC Member States to further enhance a project-oriented, inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU.
- Promoting the effective resolution of current issues on the BSEC Agenda
In recent years, despite the best efforts of consecutive Chairmanships-in-Office, the willingness of the BSEC Member States and the hard work of the Permanent International Secretariat, a number of issues remain unresolved.
In this framework, the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship will aim to facilitate efforts to resolve the issue of granting the Observer and the Sectoral Dialogue Partner statuses to interested countries; it will also aim to address long-pending issues related to the adoption of strategic documents, such as the “Regional Trade Facilitation Strategy in the BSEC Region” and the “Framework for BSEC Single Window Cooperation”; finally, it will aim to ensure the effective advancement of the Organization’s current agenda, including the adoption of the 2027 BSEC Budget, the resolution of vacancies for Country Coordinators in BSEC Working Groups and appointments to vacant positions within the BSEC PERMIS.