Brussels, 24/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - At this week's meeting of the EP foreign affairs committee that was devoted to EU enlargement (see EUROPE 9312 on Commissioner Olli Rehn's speech) German Social Democrat MEP Hannes Swoboda and Dutch Labour MEP Jan Marinus Wiersma proposed the creation of an EU-Black Sea Community. “We are pleased at the clear majority for this proposal in the committee. We have discussed the proposal with various politicians from the region, including President Saakashvili of Georgia and Mrs Tymoschenko of Ukraine and their reaction has been quite positive,” said the MEPs in a press release. They pointed out, “These countries are pushing for closer links with the European Union and even membership. But the EU cannot give them any commitment about future membership. On the other hand the Union has a strong interest in close cooperation with them on issues such as energy, security or the possible creation of a free trade area”. The future Black Sea Community “does not mean automatic future membership nor does it exclude future membership. Of course, Turkey as a candidate country and our partner Russia should be invited to enjoy closer cooperation as well,” the two MEPs concluded. (mg)