Quality of cooperation among Black Sea countries key to achieving goals - Annan

As Black Sea nations continue efforts to integrate into the European and global trade systems, the degree of collaboration among the countries in addressing a broad spectrum of issues will be a key factor in achieving their goals, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a message to a regional ministerial meeting set to open today in Armenia.

The Secretary-General welcomed the work that the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) has undertaken to fight organized crime and terrorism, and to pursue wide-ranging economic, social and democratic reforms.

"In an age of interdependence and cross-border cause-and-effect, the quality of cooperation will be a key factor in achieving your goals," the Secretary-General said in a message to the eighth meeting of the BSCE's Council of Foreign Ministers in Yerevan, scheduled for delivery on his behalf by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).

The Secretary-General also welcomed the efforts by the BSEC to establish closer relations with the European Union, and said he looked forward to bringing even more constructive ties between the Organization and the United Nations.

"The countries of the BSEC have considerable economic and industrial potential," he said. "As we work together toward the Millennium Development Goals, and to build societies in which all people can enjoy opportunities and improved standards of living, the United Nations system will continue to be your close partner."