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EU-BLACK SEA STATES SUMMIT MEETING
Thessaloniki, 15 April 2002 (18:34
UTC+2) |
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Greece intends to
organize a summit meeting of the Euro-zone member-states and
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, BSEC, states in the first
half of 2003 on the occasion of the Greek EU Presidency.
The move is placed within the framework of the
government strategy for the exploitation of the Greek EU
Presidency toward the rapprochement of the Black Sea states
with the European Union.
The announcement was
made by Greek Undersecretary of Finance Giorgos Floridis in
the opening of the one-day conference organized in
Thessaloniki by the Black Sea Commerce and Development Bank
which coincided with its annual general assembly meeting.
The goal of the initiatives that will be launched
next year will be the development of a joint strategic plan
with specific targets and timetables for the economic
reconstruction of the region and the strengthening of
inter-border cooperation.
Mr. Floridis stated
that programs should be drawn up in the sectors of
telecommunications, transportation and trade, while import
tariffs should be harmonized. In addition, agreements should
be signed to deal with double taxation and mechanisms should
be activated aimed at strengthening the banking system and
combat organized crime.
European Commission
General Director Athanasios Theodorakis, responsible for
development issues, stressed in the conference that the
southeastern European states should make a strong effort aimed
at combating corruption, organized crime and international
terrorism in view of their accession into the European Union.
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