I warmly welcome participants of the 52-nd plenary session of the General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation.

It is a particular pleasure to host the General Assembly in Armenia on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of PABSEC.  25 years ago the parliaments of our countries committed to “fulfilling the hopes and expectations of their peoples … for pluralistic democracy based on human rights and fundamental freedoms, prosperity through economic liberty and social justice” and affirmed “their determination to make use of all possibilities and opportunities for expanding and multiplying cooperation among their countries in various fields and on different levels”.

These commitments manifestly aim at accomplishing the goals of the PABSEC and in this regard remain as relevant today, while the lack of compliance with them is among the key factors hindering cooperation.

Armenia remains committed to the proclaimed goals of this Organization. In April - May of this year the people of Armenia have strongly and vocally confirmed their determination to strengthen the respect for human rights, the rule of law, good governance, equal opportunities in economic and social life.  In its foreign policy Armenia has reaffirmed the principles of good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. In this regard, our country is committed to the full use of the potential of BSEC and its bodies for the promotion of regional economic and commercial co-operation and advancement of the effective implementation of the statutory objectives of our Organization.

The 20th anniversary of the signing of the BSEC Charter signals a particular importance to our common efforts in meeting the ideals and goals of this Organization. PABSEC as an inter-parliamentary consultative body of the BSEC is envisaged, as stipulated in the founding documents of the Parliamentary Assembly, “to assist and contribute to the realization of its [BSEC’s] principles and goals”. It is our conviction that this aim should continue to navigate PABSEC in its future endeavors in a depoliticized, constructive and all-inclusive manner, based on the principle of equal sovereignty.

Regional cooperation may significantly benefit from the parliamentary contribution, especially in sharing legislative experience, exchanging best practices, harmonization of national laws and rules in specific areas with the aim of achieving declared objectives and measurable results.

The activities of PABSEC and BSEC in general should be harmonized with the relevant global agenda, especially the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard Armenia advocates for stronger synergies with international organizations and other relevant regional actors pursuing similar economic partnerships for the benefit of coordinating and complementing efforts  and avoiding duplications.

In conclusion, I would like to once again welcome the participants of the PABSEC General Assembly in Armenia, congratulate all of you on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of PABSEC and the 20th anniversary of the signing of the BSEC Charter.

I wish you every success in your work and an enjoyable stay in Armenia.