Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum
Friday June 1st
Forum Declaration 2018
“Rail, Road, Rivers Connectivity to the EU via Balkan region”
We, the participants of the second edition of the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum, held in the city of Athens, Greece, from May 30th to June 1st 2018, express our willingness and readiness to actively promote the Balkan and Black Sea region as a pivotal transportation hub and crossroads by accelerating sustainable connectivity as a key driver to strengthen the regional economic development for the benefit of all people in this region and its collaborators without any discrimination and in line with the international human rights and gender equality standards.
The mobility of services, goods and people in a flexible and sustainable manner constitutes a significant factor for growth and economic development. A transport system that is resilient, resource efficient, climate- and environmentally-friendly, safe for all citizens, the economy and society, may contribute to increased competitiveness, business opportunities and investments.
The countries of the Balkan and Black Sea region are interconnected through an extensive road, rail, air and maritime (sea and rivers) transport network. The region is the interconnector between three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. At a time when efforts to improve connectivity between the three continents gain everyday more in interest and commitments, the significance of the Balkan and Black Sea region increases considerably. Since the economic growth of the region is widely affected by trade and tourism, the development and the modernization of this network is of particular importance for each country to invest in at national level and at the same time constitutes a goal for the collective cooperation of the Balkan and Black Sea countries.
In particular, inadequate infrastructures, in combination with institutional, regulatory and economic barriers, affect the unobstructed operation of international transport in and through the Balkan and Black Sea region. If remained unaddressed, challenges will become a serious barrier to both governments and the business community, for the development of international trade and the integration of national economies in the global economy.
To this end, the implementation of targeted actions and the adoption of result-oriented policies, which should be met by all transport modes in the region, including maritime, air, road and rail transport, is imperative in order to eliminate bottlenecks and facilitate the development of a seamless inter-modal transports network connecting continents, state and regions meeting economic and social demands and to ensure the free movement of people, goods and knowledge in line with international standards.
Challenges for policy shapers and business makers:
Therefore, the objectives of the present Forum Declaration 2018 are a) to stimulate further inter- and intra- regional cooperation among all relevant stakeholders, policy –makers, entrepreneurs, the academia, and civil society and, b) to raise awareness and motivate social responsibility with the aim to contribute to the creation of a Roadmap for inclusive transport system in the Balkans and Black Sea region” for accelerating the implementation of the inter-connectivity of maritime, air, rail, road and river in the region from a connectivity platform to a connectivity strategy with focus on:
Our aim is to contribute to the establishment of an optimal framework for the facilitation of an efficient and inclusive transport system to meet the economic, social and environmental needs of the Balkans and Black Sea region, in order to reduce regional disparities and to meet the citizens’ needs. We encourage all organizations and companies to adopt and integrate UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. Therefore, this Forum Declaration will be sent to more than 30 influential organizations and stakeholders in policy shaping and business making in and for this region. BBSF will expect their reaction with the aim to create a dedicated community working towards the elaboration of the Roadmap.
We express our gratitude and appreciation to the hosts and organizers of the second Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum for their hospitality and excellent organization of the events and renew our promise to continue working together to promote connectivity in a manner meeting our mutual expectations – increasing sustainability, performance and quality of life. It’s about leadership, economics and synergies.
June 1st2018, Athens | Greece
Attribution of Authorship, May 2018
Siwarde J. Sap LL.M (Vice Chair BBSF STC) and Georgia Chantzi MA (ICBBS, BBSF SDP) with commenting from Dr. Frans-Paul van der Putten and Dr. Maaike Okano-Heijmans (Clingendael, BBSF SDP), Giannis Balakakis (BBSF COC), Ambassador Michael B. Christides (SG BSEC PERMIS, CHAIR BBSF STC), Mr. Yannick Glemarec (UNWomen NY, BBSF STC) and Ivailo Kalfin, Former Deputy Prime Minister Bulgaria.
Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum
Friday June 1st
Forum Declaration 2018
“Rail, Road, Rivers Connectivity to the EU via Balkan region”
List of addressees (not limited)