Brussels, 21/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU should launch its own strategy for the Black Sea region to bring peace and stability and secure energy supplies. A specific budget line and more EU human resources are needed to achieve this aim, according to the report by Traian Ungureanu (EPP, Romania), “An EU Strategy for the Black Sea”, adopted in by the European Parliament (EP) in plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday 20 January.
The Black Sea Strategy needs a specific EU budget line, which should prioritise funding for small-scale development projects and cross-border co-operation, the EP says in a press release. Other top priorities should be the stabilising the region, ensuring respect for human rights, managing migration, improving energy security and promoting environmental and social development.
MEPs also suggest increasing the visibility of the strategy's future action plan, by holding regular ministerial meetings between the EU and Black Sea countries (Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). Turkey and Russia would be very welcome partners in this regional co-operation, they add.
On conflict prevention, the EP suggests that the EU should develop “a conflict early warning system” which would help to build confidence in the region and prevent the escalation of violence. Such a system would focus on specific issues, such as public disclosure of arms sales and naval military activities. Here MEPs voice particular concern about the extension of the lease for Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea. (G.B./transl.rt)