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“Dear Colleagues,

Members, observers and guests of the Assembly,

On behalf of the RA National Assembly, as well as the Presidency of Armenia to PABSEC I welcome you in the PA 52^nd Plenary Session. I am glad that the representatives of PABSEC all national delegations have arrived in Yerevan.

Despite the pre-electoral processes, we, as a presiding country, highlight the consistent and unfailing activities of BSEC and on that very basis, several days before the parliamentary elections we hold Plenary Session. I am sure that the newly elected parliament of Armenia will be actively involved in the international activity, taking into consideration the role of the parliamentary diplomacy growing year by year.

Dear Colleagues,

The Black Sea Region countries, which are rich in the historical heritage, by the description of the multiculturalism and serious economic potential created this unique organisation 25 years ago. It is called on to unite the efforts of the member states directed to the development of economic cooperation based on the advantages of the geographical neighbourhood.

Today, the Black Sea Region is the most important knot of cooperation in the sphere of transport and energy between the East and West, a dynamically growing market with 350mln population, which, undoubtedly is attractive for the global economic processes.

The key phase of the BSEC formation process has been the creation of the parliamentary component, which during these years has proved that it is the inseparable and irreplaceable part of the organisation.

Dear Colleagues,

There is no doubt that certain tensions existing in the region serve as an obstacle for the deepening of economic cooperation between some countries and groups of countries. The development of economic integration, the strengthening of economic potential of the regional states can be a good precondition for responding the existing challenges and strengthening stability. I am deeply convinced that the majority of the most complicated problems is possible to solve by developing honest, sincere and unbiased dialogue. The inter-parliamentary cooperation and the parliamentary diplomacy are irreplaceable tools for its establishment.

Dear Colleagues,

The role of PABSEC essentially increases, as the economy is a key factor in the international relations and often just the economic relations create favourable conditions for the formation of the effective political agenda, which promotes the settlement of the disputable items and restrict the perspectives of confrontation. The commonality of the tasks and perspectives unites us, calling on solidarity and cooperation for strengthening democracy and fundamental values in the whole region.

The peculiarity of PABSEC is the only parliamentary organisation of exclusively economic character in the region. PABSEC is a dynamic democratic forum of dialogue and cooperation, as well as an important path of communication between the peoples of the region. elected through their representatives.

We are obliged to be faithful for the peace, security, stability and the development of economic partnership in the region. We call on all PABSEC members to continue the joint actions in this direction for giving new impetus to the regional economic cooperation. PABSEC has to deepen the creative way of thinking, which denies the manifestation of animosity and the policy of divisive lines.

Armenia is concerned over the further development of multilateral economic cooperation in the region, together with that we don't stop repeating that the main idea of the PABSEC creation and priority between the BSEC member states is the strengthening of economic cooperation. Armenia approves its commitment to this idea and insists on the fact that it is necessary to keep the economic character of the organisation, avoiding its relevant politicization.

Dear Colleagues,

It is a pleasure that Armenia holds a meeting, where the main item is The role of the parliaments in the development of regional economic cooperation. This theme underlines the role, which the parliaments, as bodies implementing representation, legislative and oversight functions, play in making economic reforms.

In the future Armenia is also ready to continue constructive contribution to the development of cooperation between the BSEC countries, promoting the strengthening of the structure and proposing regional and global integration new projects and initiatives.

Dear Colleagues,

I hope that due to the work done by the Armenian delegation, as well as the presidency of Armenia our organisation has become better and more effective. We have much aspired for that goal.

Dear Participant s,

I wish you successful work and pleasant visit to our country.

I am sure that today's Session will be one more step in strengthening of economic cooperation between our countries.

I declare the 52nd Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation open, ” Ara Babloyan noted.