“Çavuşoğlu underlined that BSEC is important for an effective regional cooperation during the fight against COVID-19 and the aftermath, and that we would cooperate on coordination between our crisis centers, health, development and production of vaccines, supply chains and tourism,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is a regional international organization focusing on multilateral political and economic initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation, peace, stability and prosperity in the Black Sea region.

It traces its origin to 25 June 1992, when Turkish President Turgut Özal and leaders of ten other countries gathered in Istanbul and signed the Summit Declaration and the "Bosphorus Statement".

BSEC Headquarters – the Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC PERMIS) – was established in March 1994, also in Istanbul. (ILKHA)