Turkey Plays An Important Role In Black Sea Region, German Minister

BERLIN - A German minister said on Thursday that Turkey undertook an important role in Black Sea region.
Gernot Erler, German State Minister and President of the Southeast Europe Association, said that EU had security, economy and energy interests in the Black Sea region. Erler said that Bulgaria and Romania had joined EU, adding that Turkey, as a strong partner, had an important role in the region.
Turkish Industrialists` & Businessmen`s Association (TUSIAD) and Southeast Europe Association organized an international conference on the perspective of the EU and Turkey on Black Sea regional cooperation in Berlin.
Erler said in the meeting that Turkey`s views and strategies were very advanced regarding Black Sea region. Erler added that Turkey could help the neighborhood policy strategy which EU had set last year.
Also TUSIAD`s EU representative Bahadir Kaleagasi said that the EU started to produce very concrete policies about Black Sea. He added that a joint initiative was launched under the title Black Sea synergy by the EU and Black Sea Economic Cooperation.
(GC)