Enhancing Connectivity in the wider Black Sea region: Presentation of the Priorities of the Hellenic Chairmanship-in-Office at the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Tuesday 7 July 2026
On Tuesday 7 July 2026, the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS) organised successfully an event for the Presentation of the Priorities of the Hellenic Chairmanship-in-Office at the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), with title “Enhancing Connectivity in the wider Black Sea region”. The event was hosted at the “Giannos Kranidiotis” Amphitheatre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, in Athens, Greece.
On the occasion of the launch of the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office, the event presented the priorities and offered an overview of the programme of the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship for the period 1 July – 31 December 2026. [Agenda]
The event was attended by more than 100 stakeholders from ministries, national agencies, academic institutions, policy and business representatives from Greece and representatives from the embassies of the BSEC Member States in Athens.
Main action areas of the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship:
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- Promoting the implementation of the “BSEC Economic Agenda”.
- Promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of BSEC.
- Promoting the project-oriented character of BSEC.
- Enhancing connectivity.
- Promoting people-to-people contacts.
- Promoting the interaction of BSEC with partners and third parties.
- Promoting the effective resolution of current issues on the BSEC Agenda.
Read the full Press-Release HERE
About the event
On behalf of the Hellenic Chairmanship, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, H.E. Mr. Theoharis Theoharis, delivered the keynote speech, outlining the priorities and objectives of the Hellenic Republic for the next six months. Opening his address, Mr. Theoharis underscored the significance of the BSEC Organization as the oldest, most representative, and institutionally mature institution in the wider Black Sea area. He stressed that Greece assumes the Chairmanship with a sense of responsibility, aware of the difficulties, with respect for all Member States, and with confidence in the Permanent International Secretariat and the relevant bodies of the Organization, so that the Black Sea region remains a space for dialogue, connectivity, economic cooperation, and a shared vision. as Mr. Theoharis pointed out, the theme of the Hellenic Chairmanship, “Moving forward: Promoting regional economic cooperation in the wider Black Sea area”, is more than just a motto; “it is a political stance, a strategic choice, a call to responsibility”.
On behalf of the BSEC Organization, BSEC PERMIS Secretary General, H.E. Amb. Lazăr Comănescu, expressed appreciation and gratitude to Greece’s continuous commitment and contribution to BSEC’s goals and principles. Ambassador Comănescu stressed that fostering security has an important economic dimension with opportunities to build longer cooperation, a strong basis to efforts for stability.
On behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs, outlined the diverse, project-oriented and impact-driven programme of the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship, focusing on two key thematic priorities: a) enhancing connectivity in transport, energy, digital infrastructure and logistics, and b) promoting people-to-people contacts, prioritising cultural exchanges, educational cooperation and tourism.
During the second part of the event, representatives from the BSEC related bodies were invited to introduce their institutions and outline their anticipated contributions under the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship. On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of BSEC (PABSEC), Vice-President and Head of the PABSEC Hellenic Delegation, Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, presented the priorities of the Hellenic Chairmanship of PABSEC that will run in parallel to the Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship during the second semester of 2026. From the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), Secretary General, Mr. Asterios Tsoukalas, outlined the Bank’s extensive portfolio to enhance regional economic diplomacy in the wider Black Sea region. Mr. Tsoukalas noted that, since its establishment, the Bank has invested up to EUR 9.5 billion in national and regional projects.
Presenting the International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS), Director General, Mr. Georgios Mitrakos, outlined the Centre’s diverse plan of action, extending from multi-partnership projects and scientific events to academic publications and trainings, each designed to address pertinent issues across the wider Black Sea region. Reiterating ICBSS’ readiness to support the Hellenic Chairmanship substantially, Mr. Mitrakos stressed that, the Chairmanship is presented with a significant opportunity to work actively and collectively towards re-building trust, strengthening existing synergies and pursuing new ones across the Black Sea region and beyond.
In the third part of the event, Mr. Angelis Panopoulos, Director of the Private office of the Secretary General of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment and Energy and Ms. Persefoni Ioannidou, Director General for Strategic Transport Planning and Road Safety of the Hellenic Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, presented regional priorities in the sectors of energy and transportation, respectively, and outlined the Ministries’ anticipated action plans in alignment with the priorities of the 2026 Hellenic BSEC Chairmanship.
The event was moderated by Mr. Nicholas Emirzas, Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the B4 Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.
Read the full Press-Release HERE
