OSCE Chairmanship conference identifies recommendations for Black Sea basin co-operation

ODESA, 26 June 2007 - An international expert conference on navigation safety and environmental security in the Black Sea basin, organized by the Finnish OSCE Chairmanship and the Government of Ukraine as a follow-up to the 16th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, concluded today in Odesa.

Over 150 representatives of transport and environment ministries and maritime authorities from the Black Sea region, as well as from international and non-governmental organizations, identified specific recommendations for enhanced co-operation on the safety of navigation and environmental security in the Black Sea basin.

The conference highlighted the importance of effective implementation of international and regional legal instruments for improving navigation safety and environmental protection. Public participation as well as public-private co-operation should also be strengthened in addressing these issues.

The "Safety of Navigation and Environmental Security in a Transboundary Context in the Black Sea Basin" conference identified areas for further focus related to maritime transport and environmental protection, including oil pollution preparedness and response, combating the transfer of invasive species in ballast waters, ship surveillance and monitoring for oil spill detection and prevention.

Conference participants encouraged the OSCE to continue supporting existing regional processes and co-operation initiatives, as well as inter- and intra-regional exchange of experiences, and thus act as a catalyst for co-operation and contribute to raising awareness at the political level.