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Black Sea Region States United By Commitment To Common System Of Val

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  • Black Sea Region States United By Commitment To Common System Of Val

    BLACK SEA REGION STATES UNITED BY COMMITMENT TO COMMON SYSTEM OF VALUES

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    05.06.2006 18:50 GMT+04:00

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Countries of the Black Sea region have rich and at
    the same time dramatic history of co-existence," Armenian President
    Robert Kocharian stated when addressing Black Sea Forum for Dialogue
    and Partnership. "The Black Sea has always been a center of strategic
    interest. This led to many devastating wars that have formed its
    current political map, ethnic and religious diversity.

    However, this all has also resulted in substantial interrelation of
    our cultures and traditions.

    Partially that is why there are so many similarities in the process
    of transformation underway in our countries. This is true in case
    with the internal transformation, aimed at deepening of democracy and
    transparency of the society. This also influences the shaping of new
    types of foreign interactions in the context of the changing world.

    We are present at the formation of new dynamic processes, changing
    the region, forming new perceptions about it. Two objective questions
    come across: how possible is a common direction of development of the
    region? Will this lead to the formation of the new regional identity,
    based on a common interest and inherited cultural interaction?

    Our Forum is called to address these challenging issues," the Armenian
    leader remarked.

    "We shall first evaluate the level of motivation in each country of the
    region. Secondly, we shall work out approaches increasing our mutual
    will for partnership. For Armenia, with limited natural resources
    and emphasized entrepreneurial mentality of the people, the choice
    was clear. Transformation for us primarily meant the liberalization
    of economy, open trade regimes, and a competitive environment. These
    reforms substantially changed the structure of Armenian economy. Today
    over 85 per cent of GDP is produced in private sector, with over 40
    per cent of it being produced in small and medium businesses.

    Annual growth of GDP during last five years has averaged at above
    12 per cent. It is natural, that we watch openness and regional
    cooperation as the most effective way for our development. Only lazy
    people do not speak about benefits of regional cooperation. It is an
    axiom, which however comes across many obstacles, which are often of
    a subjective nature.

    There is a need for pragmatic evaluation of the positive and negative
    realities.

    Let us first assess what unites us: - Commitment to a common system
    of values and readiness to play along the same rules.

    - Obvious, tangible economic benefit of regional integration processes.

    - Common challenges and threats to the stability and security caused
    by the increasing transnational crime, extremism and terrorism.

    Meanwhile, we are divided by: - Unresolved ethnic conflicts, - Certain
    deficit of trust, caused by the negative experiences of the history
    of the region.

    I am confident that we shall concentrate on those elements which
    unite us. We shall take steps to harmonize our reforms, achieve
    unification of trade regimes and transportation tariffs. There is
    a need for joint investment projects in the infrastructures of the
    region. First of all, for energy and transportation projects, covering
    the entire Black Sea basin, and increasing its economic attractiveness.

    This will create favorable environment for resolution of existing
    conflicts. Through cooperation to the settlement, through communication
    to a bigger trust - that is the best formula for overcoming the
    controversies, based on a search for a common interest," Robert
    Kocharian said, reported RA leader's press office.
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