Statement by H.E. Mr. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the 59th Plenary Meeting of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 20 November 2015, New York Statement Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, at the National Launch of the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan 2015-2016 (3rp), 19 March 2015, Ankara Address by H.E. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at Somalia’s New Deal Compact Ministerial High Level Partnership Forum, 19 November 2014, Copenhagen Statement Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey at the Conference on the Syrian Refugee Situation - Supporting Stability in the Region, 28 October 2014, Berlin Statement by H.E. Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the Sixth Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, 29 August 2014, Bali Speech Delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Naci Koru In The Symposium Entitled “Peace In The Balkans And Turkey: Cultural And Commercial Diplomacy”, 28 May 2014, Istanbul Opening Remarks by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Naci Koru at the 20th International Junior Diplomats Training Program, 5 May 2014 Speech Delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Naci Koru at the Gallipoli Symphony and the Gallipoli Photograph Exhibition, 28 April 2014, Ankara Statement by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Informal Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP), 18 February 2014, Bucharest Speech Delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Naci Koru on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, 27 January 2014, Istanbul Statement by Ambassador Naci Koru Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs On the Occasion of the 68th Anniversary of the United Nations, 24 October 2013 Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the International Symposium Entitled " Asia's Rise On the Global Landscape: Perspectives from Turkey, Japan and Malaysia", 23 October 2013, Istanbul Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the International Symposium Entitled " Asia's Rise On the Global Landscape: Perspectives from Turkey, Japan and Malaysia", 23 October 2013, Istanbul Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the "New Deal for Somalia - Brussels Conference", 16 September 2013, Brussels Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Foreign Ministers meeting, 31 May 2013, Ohrid Address by Mr. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to the Members of Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 17 April 2013, Ankara Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Workshop Entitled “Rethinking Turkey’s Current Role and Engagement in The Balkans”, 16 April 2013, Ankara Address by Mr. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to Turkish Honorary Consuls in North and South America and Australia, 15 April 2013, Ankara Opening Remarks by H.E. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the International Junior Diplomats Training Program Address by H.E. Mr. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey at the ACD Ministerial Meeting, 29 March 2013, Dushanbe Address by Mr. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Senior Faculty Members, 26 March 2013, Ankara Address by H.E. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to the MUNESCO 2013 Conference, 21 March 2013, Ankara Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the 20th Annual Turkey-EU Conference of Journalists, 11 March 2013, İstanbul Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Meeting Entitled “Turkish-Russian Relations in the Post-Cold War Period: Current Dynamics, Future Prospects”, 19 February 2013, Ankara Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Meeting Entitled “Arabs and the World, a Future Perspective”, 12 February 2013, Kuwait Address by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to the “UK Joint Services Command and Staff College” Participants, 5 February 2013, Ankara Opening Remarks By Mr. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Antalya International Security and Cooperation Conference by the Atlantic Council of Turkey, 14-15 December 2012, Antalya Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Bosphorus Regional Cooperation Summit Organized by the International Cooperation Platform (ICP), 13 December 2012, İstanbul Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey on the occasion of Permanent Neutrality Status Day of Turkmenistan and the 5th Anniversary of the Foundation of the UNRCCA, 11 December 2012, Ashgabat Speech Delivered by Ambassador Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the Caspian Forum, 6 December 2012, İstanbul
  1. Deputy Ministers
  2. Speeches of the Deputy Minister
  3. Speech Delivered by H.E. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), 11 June 2012, Belgrade
Speech Delivered by H.E. Naci Koru, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey at the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), 11 June 2012, Belgrade

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished Heads of Delegations,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to address the 26th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) under the Chairmanship of Serbia. His Excellency Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, could not join us today as he has an unforeseen meeting with the Prime Minister. He sent his warm greetings to all of you.

Allow me to start by expressing my sincere thanks to Her Excellency Ms. Sladjjana Prica, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and the people of Serbia for their warm hospitality, as well as for the excellent organization of this meeting in the beautiful capital city of Serbia.

Taking this opportunity, I would also like to extend our congratulations to His Excellency Jeremic, for his election as the President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I have no doubt that having extensive experience in regional and multilateral affairs, he will lead this eminent world body, in an efficient and capable manner. We are confident that BSEC region will continue to have a special place not only in his work agenda, but also in his heart during his term of office.

Distinguished colleagues,

As a founding member and the host country of the Permanent Secretariat, we attribute great importance to strengthening our partnership within BSEC.

Since its establishment in 1992, BSEC has been a promising model of economic cooperation at regional level aimed at promoting dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity among the Member States.

Excellencies,

It is well known to all that the Black Sea is an important region, strategically located at the heart of Eurasia which connects major transportation and trade routes and crucial energy corridors. Encompassing an area of approximately 20 million square kilometers and with a population of over 330 million people, with vast natural resources, the Black Sea region presents huge opportunities. Taking stock of these assets, it is important that we intensify our efforts in order to tap the potential of BSEC.

Ladies and gentlemen,

BSEC has stood the test of time and proved itself as a reliable institution bringing together peoples of different cultures and religions.

Yet, we still have a lot to do. At this juncture, what we need is continued political will to support the realization of concrete projects like the Motorways of the Sea and the Black Sea Ring Highway. Stronger maritime transport links between the Black Sea ports, energy and environmental cooperation which would yield tangible results to improve the life quality of the people of the Black Sea region are also necessary.

Distinguished participants,

More than a decade ago, the BSEC Economic Agenda for the Future was adopted as the roadmap outlining to meet the goals set by the BSEC Charter.

Given the emergence of new challenges and opportunities at the global level, we decided to update the Economic Agenda of the BSEC, in order to adapt the Organization to the new realities.

In this context, we believe that the “The BSEC Economic Agenda: Towards an Enhanced BSEC Partnership” will further develop cooperation among BSEC Member States as well as with other stakeholders in the region.

Excellencies,

We are pleased that the interest of the international community towards this region has grown. As a matter of fact, BSEC is regarded as an important contributor to peace and stability in the region and beyond by bringing together all countries of the wider Black Sea area in a spirit of close cooperation.

Enhancing the coordination and interaction with the Observers and the Sectoral Dialogue Partners as well as BSEC Related Bodies is necessary to improve both the content and the mechanisms of work of the Organization. Strengthening and smooth functioning of the BSEC Secretariat as well as the Secretariats of BSEC Related Bodies are also important components of the effectiveness of our Organization.

Within this framework, I would like to thank the outgoing Secretary General Ambassador Chrysanthopoulos for the work done during his term of office in BSEC. Taking this opportunity let me also express our gratitude to Ambassador Sumru Noyan, First Deputy Secretary General, for her immense contributions, throughout her term. She has worked with integrity, professionalism and in full respect for cultural diversity. May I also congratulate the new Secretary General Ambassador Victor Tvircun, First Deputy Secretary General Ambassador, Ahmet Erozan and Deputy Secretary General Alexander Prishchepov, on their election to their new posts and wish them continued success.

Excellencies,

The 20th Anniversary of BSEC will be celebrated at the Summit to be held in Istanbul on 26 June 2012 under the co-chairmanship of Turkey and Serbia.

On this occasion, I wish to underline that Turkey will do its utmost to successfully organize this special Anniversary Summit.

We believe that this Summit will present a valuable opportunity to evaluate the past achievements and explore a new vision for BSEC.

On behalf of H.E. Ahmet Davutoğlu, it is my pleasure to invite Your Excellencies to the Special Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of BSEC and the Summit to follow, in Istanbul, on 26 June. The participation at the highest level to this Special Anniversary Summit will demonstrate the commitment of Member States to our Organization.

As the next Chairman of BSEC, let me also express our wish and expectation from all Member States for their valuable contributions towards further strengthening our cooperation during our term of Office which we have set a theme entitled “From Regional Cooperation to a Zone of Prosperity”.

Before concluding, I would like to congratulate Serbia for their successful Chairmanship-in-Office and the excellent organization of this meeting.

Thank you for your kind attention. I look forward to seeing all of you, in Istanbul.