YEREVAN.- President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory address to the summit dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

In his address, President stressed that within 20 years the Organization managed to pass the test of time and overcome many global and regional challenges, establishing itself as an authoritative structure promoting  multilateral regional economic cooperation.

According to him, economic initiatives outlined within the framework of BSEC contribute significantly to the economic development of the region at the same time promoting peaceful coexistence of peoples living there.

“I reiterate that Armenia has been and remains committed to the principles and objectives reflected in the Charter of the Organization, has always faithfully implemented the decisions, agreements and memorandums signed by the member states.

I am confident that in the presence of complicated problems in the region, further development of multilateral cooperation within BSEC will inevitably lead to a facilitation of the political dialogue between the member states, and to stability in the region,” the statement reads.

The Armenian leader believes that the main prerequisites for the development of modern economic relations are unimpeded contacts, free movement of resources, equal conditions for competition.

“Blockades and closed borders are not only artificial obstacles to bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation, but also unacceptable dividing lines on political map of the 20th century. BSEC has taken all of these principles, and we all need to monitor their effective implementation,” President said.

He also called on the member states to spare no efforts to promote economic cooperation and use the potential of BSEC for the future prosperity of the region.