We are happy to inform you that we launched the Newsletter of the Black Sea NGO Forum, the 2013 spring edition. The material is elaborated as part of the Forum's follow-up activities and it will be available on our website and Facebook page. Its main purpose is to help improve our common work, communication and engagement in the Black Sea region. We encourage you to send us your feed-back concerning the structure, type of news & information and opportunities for your work and please do share with us your good practices, projects proposals, events or opportunities for partnership, in order to improve the Newsletter.

Contact person: Ms. Oana Perju - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phone: 0040 734 325 662, address: Calea 13 Septembrie St, no. 85, bl 77C, ap.74, sector 5, Bucharest, Romania

Photos by Arevik Grigoryan

On 9 April 2013 Yerevan-based Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC) hosted a conference on the topic: EU Foreign Policy towards South Caucasus”. The keynote speaker was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic MIROSLAV LAJČÁK. 

The conference was organized in cooperation with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Russia and Armenia. The participants of the conference were Members of the Armenian Parliament, Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NGOs, experts-analysts, diplomats and representatives of international organizations, students and journalists.

Source: Armenian News Agency  

EU Funds Black Sea Silk Road Corridor Project

On January 7, the EU through the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism in Bucharest, Romania acting as the Joint Managing Authority for the Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme signed a contract for the implementation of the Black Sea - Silk Road Corridor (BSSRC). The project is being implemented with partners in Greece, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia.

In Armenia the BSSRC is implemented by the Armenian Monuments Awareness Project (AMAP) with co-funding from the USAID Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC) Project, and in cooperation with the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB).

The Black Sea Silk Road Corridor Project is a Tour Trail that will offer an exciting opportunity to retrace the ancient Silk Road through Greece, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, explore the fascinating sights and cultures and the stunning sceneries of these ancient lands. Historical and cultural sights abound, as does incredible natural beauty, wide open spaces and awe-inspiring mountains and lakes, with plenty of opportunity to get involved in the local ways of life and enjoy unforgettable hospitality. The project aims at supporting cross border partnerships for economic and social development of above mentioned 4 countries through creation of tourism networks and promotion of local (rural) services and traditional products.

The BSSRC platform will offer visitors consistent opportunities to experience the natural destinations of the Black Sea BAsin countries, while learning about local history and culture. Apart from significant economic growth, the BSSRC Project Tour Trail will bring many environmental benefits. The paramount of them is the protection of biological resources, because for this platform to develop local communities will have to value their nature, preserve and maintain local ecologies (natural and cultural).