On November 27, 2013, in Brussels has been held a meeting between the representatives of the International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea (BSCSIF) and European Policy Centre (EPC). The delegation of BSCSIF, consisting of Mr. Eldar Hasanov, Secretary General, Ms. Alev Balgi, Executive Director, and Ms. Julia Akhunova, Project Coordinator, has been invited by EPC representatives, Mr. Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Ms. Amanda Paul, Chief EPC Analyst, with the aim of discussing the perspectives of cooperation and implementation of joint projects. On this occasion, a partnership agreement has been signed between BSCSIF and EPC, aiming at strengthening peace, dialog, mutual understanding and cooperation among the countries of the wide Black Sea – Caspian Sea region in the following areas: expansion of the democratic processes, consolidation of the civil society, economic development, science, education, cultural diversity, tolerance and dialog of civilizations.
The best highly qualified experts of both organizations will be coopted in the implementation of the joint projects. Within the framework of the projects, conferences, symposiums, round tables will be organized in the above mentioned activity areas.
Led by the rich experience of EPC, in its capacity of EU think center, the cooperation between these two influential organizations will contribute to the promotion of the democratic values and EU views not only toward the Eastern Partnership countries, but also toward other countries represented in BSCSIF.The International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea is a nongovernmental organization, established on March 4, 2009, in Bucharest, on the initiative of Romania and Azerbaijan, and as well, of other countries from the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions. The founders of the organization are distinguished scientists and public figures, renowned intellectuals and diplomats from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. Later on, during the years 2011 – 2013, our International Fund has been joined by the representatives of other 12 countries: Russian Federation, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Croatia, Iran, Albania, Swiss Confederation, Republic of South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.
The headquarters of the International organization is located in Bucharest, and other five branches actively operate in Istanbul, Moscow, Brussels, Varna and Belgrade.
