Opening
Statement by Ms. Danuta Hübner,
United Nations Under-Secretary-General,
Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe
at
the Fourth Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Member States
Moscow,
27 April 2001
Mr.
Chairman,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear
Participants of the Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Council
of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation,
Allow
me to express my deepest appreciation for the effort of the member States of
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation to create a viable regional integration
grouping and my hope that it will continue to benefit its member States in
terms of both economic gains, and peace and security.
The
Black Sea region not only offers a lot to the world economy and global
community with its valuable skilful human resources, favourable geographical
location, rich mineral resources, diverse cultures and the desire to
cooperate, but also has an enormous potential for growth that can benefit all
the peoples living throughout this large region.
As
peace is the most precious and the most crucial condition for the countries of
the region for advancing economic development and social progress, I would
also like to congratulate the BSEC member States on their determination to
develop good-neighbourly relations in the region.
Speaking on
behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, of which all
countries of the BSEC are member States, I would like to confirm our support
for your efforts. So far we have been providing it in mainly two economic
areas: in transport and in enterprise development, and particularly in the
development of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The signing of a
cooperation agreement between the UNECE and BSEC is on its way, which will
allow to expand the ECE involvement in your activities in a much more
comprehensive manner. In particular, the agreement envisages extending
cooperation to such areas as: economic analysis and statistics, protection of
environment, sustainable energy, inland transport, trade and industry.
There
is still a lot work ahead in the region before fruits of success can become
broadly felt. First and foremost, there is a need to continue efforts aimed at
removing the existing institutional obstacles impeding cooperation. These
include differences in standards, regulations and procedures that result in
significant costs to businessmen, moving their commodities, services and
financial resources across borders. With our experience in trade and transport
facilitation we can assist the member States in their efforts in the above
areas.
There
is also a potential to rationalize and further harmonize national
institutional settings for business activities. Many countries of this region
still lack a proper legislation, including bankruptcy law, property rights,
anti-monopoly regulation, foreign investment regulation, arbitration and, most
important, the capacity to enforce transaction obligations, undermining the
trust of and incentives of both domestic and foreign investors. We can provide
assistance in these areas as well. There is both a need and a good potential
for working together
Once
again, I would like to wish all of you a success in your endeavour to
transform the Black Sea region into the paradise celebrated once by a Greek
poet of the antiquity.
Thank
you for your attention.