Speech by Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, at the International Conference on the Black Sea Basin

(Constanta, Romania, 30 March 2006)

Mr President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ancient Greek seafarers initially knew the Black Sea under the name Pontos Axeinos, or “inhospitable sea”. Over the centuries, however, the name was changed to Pontos Euxeinos – “hospitable sea”. Our conference today is a perfect reminder to all of us not only of the hospitality of our Romanian hosts, but also of the hospitality of the Black Sea itself on whose shores rest the historical traditions of enormous length – the traditions of commercial and cultural exchanges, the traditions of co-existence of civilisations and religions, the traditions of discovery and exploration.

The name of the ancient God Pontos is reminiscent of the Latin word for “bridge”. Today, as we are embarking on an ambitious project of creating another Euro-region of a new generation, the Black Sea Euro-region, our aspirations are to build bridges between the peoples living on the shores of this sea, between the countries, regions and municipalities of the Black Sea basin in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres. The fact that this conference enjoys such an important high-level representation, the fact that you are here shows not only your support to this initiative, but also your political will, the will of your governments to boost cooperation in the Black Sea basin at national, regional and local level. It also shows the awareness of your governments of the need to join our forces in developing this area and bringing more stability and more economic and social cohesion to the region. I would like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Romanian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers for supporting this project, for its kind offer to host this conference and for its help in organising it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The proposal to create Euro-regions of the european seas, put forward by the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, has been gaining wide international support at all levels. In February, we launched the first such region, the Adriatic Euro-region which brought together national, regional and local authorities of both EU and non-EU member states of the Adriatic, in particular from South-East Europe. Today, we are beginning the process of launching the Black Sea Euro-region, and the proposal to establish the Baltic Sea Euro-region is in the pipeline.

There are many reasons for which we see these projects as so important. In Europe today, we are witnessing an accelerating shift in the national and local balance. The borders are disappearing, and the economic competition is devolving to inter-territorial level. For the first time in history, Europe is united under one roof in the Council of Europe, giving in particular our Congress of Local and Regional Authorities an opportunity to advance in its mission of reinforcing local and regional democracy across the entire continent. The creation of Euro-regions around the european seas is a perfect tool to achieve this. This is why we are putting so much emphasis on the support of the different levels of government: there are many intergovernmental organisations already existing in the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea areas, but they ensure cooperation at the national level. What we need is the greater economic and social cohesion at the level closest to the citizen, a better development of local economy through, for example, fisheries and tourism.

Another reason why we see these projects as so important is that the ecosystems of the european seas are becoming increasingly fragile. This is why our project of the Black Sea Basin goes beyond the countries bordering on the Black Sea in the geographical sense. We need to join forces in addressing environmental issues with the countries of, for example, the Danube river; the Dniestr also flows into the Black Sea, and all three countries of South Caucasus have an important role to play in managing the basin’s water resources.

In this context, I would like to stress the importance which the Congress and its Committee on Sustainable Development attaches to the proper management of water resources – the resources which, of course, know no frontiers or governments. I said at the outset, your presence here today shows that you all share the understanding of the need to combine our efforts and resources in addressing these issues. The two Euroregions (Adriatic and Black Sea) will work hard and cooperate on pratical issues such as the promotion of corridor number 8. The Council of Europe Center on interregional and transborder cooperation in St Petersburg, which will be created soon, will reinforce the cohesion and give support to these efforts and to the transfer of innovative practices between European regions. The passing of the Committee of Ministers Chairmanship from Romania to Russia in May this year will provide the right momentum for the promotion of these initiatives, and I should like to thank the governments involved for their full support.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Vincent van Gogh once said: “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” As we embark today on this new endeavour, let us not be frightened by the dangers of a stormy sea but see them as the challenge in achieving our goal. Today, let us not be the countries separated by the sea but become a Euro-region united by the sea.

Thank you.