Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC)

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) was created as a result of the major political changes which occurred in the late 1980s, when the nations of the Black Sea region re-emerged on the world stage. Founded in 1993 as the parliamentary dimension of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), PABSEC aims to promote economic, political and cultural cooperation among the peoples of the Black Sea region with a view to making the region an area of stability, prosperity and peace within the new European architecture.

The Assembly concentrates its efforts on adopting recommendations on subjects of importance for the implementation of the projects of multilateral economic cooperation elaborated by the BSEC. They include consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, harmonization of legislation, trade, small and medium enterprises, border-crossing formalities and visa regulations, the BSEC free trade zone, avoidance of double taxation, financial and banking systems, transportation, communications, tourism, combating organized crime and corruption, law enforcement, combating human trafficking, and social and cultural issues such as cultural heritage, education, youth cooperation, university networks, the role of the mass media, social protection for pensioners, child protection, public health and the environment.

The development of regional cooperation is a key focus of PABSEC's work, while a further priority is establishing and cultivating relations with European assemblies, especially the European Parliament.