Trade

The EU and the Black Sea

- trade aspects -

Trade

BSEC from an EU point of view

• Black Sea as a gateway between Europe, Asia and the Middle East

• We must offer Black Sea stakeholders an opportunity to identify areas where our interests come together to further practical cooperation

• EU observer

Trade

BSEC from an EU point of view

• Practical cooperation: about increasing economic benefits and social opportunities for people, and about ensuring sustainable economic development and about building trust

• In that regard, trade cooperation as a key element

Trade

The EU Black Sea strategy of 2008• The EU is willing to share responsibility for the

peaceful and prosperous development of the region• The Black Sea is important for the EU, which wants

to play a constructive role in all the sea basins surrounding it, taking its responsibilities in full

• A tool: The Black Sea Synergy Initiative of 2008, in order to foster pragmatic regional dialogue Working Groups on trade, customs, exchange of statistical data

Trade

Trade as a support to the BSEC process

• BSEC is about fostering interaction and harmony among the Member States and ensuring peace, stability and prosperity

• Trade as a key component of peace, stability and prosperity;

• Trade handled at the EU level (EU exclusive competence)

Trade

The EU has extensive relations with the Black Sea's countries

• Greece, Bulgaria and Romania are EU Member States

• Russia: a strategic partner• Turkey: an EU candidate country• The Eastern European Partners, and the

Stabilisation and Association Process with the Western Balkans (Serbia and Albania)

Trade

BSEC: an already privileged trade relations with the EU

• Romania, Bulgaria and Greece - EU members• Turkey - Customs Union with the EU• FTAs - Albania and Serbia• Trade preferences - Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia,

Armenia, Azerbaijan

Trade

Towards a further step in trade

• Russia joining the WTO• The Eastern Partnership (Ukraine, Moldova,

Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan): political association and the economic integration with the EU

• "Money, Mobility, Market" – the future Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade

Trade

The EU trade agenda

Contributes to:• open market• stabilize ("made trade not war")• spread over governance