Marmara Group Foundation President Dr. Akkan Suver and Member of the Board of Trustees Göksel Bilgiç were in Tirana to attend the 63rd General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation on behalf of civil society.

At the PABSEC General Assembly, which started its work with the opening speech of the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Lindita Nikolla, Dr. Akkan Suver also made a speech and brought the Belt and Road Initiative's relations with the Black Sea Region to the agenda.

Speech of Dr. Akkan Suver at the 6th PABSEC General Assembly

Parliamentary Assemblies and International Organizations

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Honorable participants,

First of all, on behalf of myself and the Marmara Group Foundation of Turkey, I would like to thank the Parliament of the Republic of Albania and its esteemed President Her Excellency Lindita Nikolla for guested us in Tirana.

I would like to discuss the collaboration of the "Belt and Road" Initiative with the countries of the Black Sea region, which we consider as a consensus of respect for peace dialogue and diplomacy.It is a fact that the "Belt and Road" Initiative has enabled many different countries with different cultures, values and political systems to come together in the economic field.

It is a fact that the "Belt and Road" Initiative enables the coming together of many different countries with diverse cultures, values, and political systems in the economic sphere.

Despite coming from different political systems, the European Union movement is a unique alliance with shared values and common goals.

Therefore, I would like to bring to the agenda the common values of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, an important unity movement of this century, and the European Union, an important unity movement of the last century.

With the philosophy of the Belt and Road, joint collaboration between the Belt and Road Initiative and the European Union movement could create an important opportunity for the future of humanity. The integration of the Black Sea region with the "Belt and Road" Initiative will make important contributions not only to the economies of the region's countries but also to their stability.

An important point that I believe is essential to know is that we are facing geopolitical tensions that exacerbate global peace, disrupt economies and supply chains, lead to shortages, price increases, and question the security of global trade.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the escalating Palestine-Israel conflict, and military escalation in the Red Sea region are causing difficulties in our region. Meanwhile, despite having the potential to become the largest global transportation corridor,  the Trans-Caspian corridor has not yet demonstrated efficiency.

Projects implemented in Central Asia and investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure are the beginning of significant developments under the Global Gateway initiative.

Therefore, the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the European Union should complement each other in a harmonious environment and strive towards mutual success.

It seems that Belt and Road can serve as a leading platform to unite Chinese and European initiatives in Eurasia.

Increased activities of the "Belt and Road" and the European Union through joint projects in Central Asia can ease tensions in relations between the parties and provide mechanisms to bring them together to jointly solve global challenges such as climate change, environmental disaster, poverty, food and cybersecurity.

Having an important role in low-carbon and green development, the Belt and Road Initiative and the European Union can create an open and collaborative green technology cooperation chain along the TITR (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) to reduce the cost of renewable energy for developing countries, including those in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

The countries of the "Belt and Road" and the European Union remain the main trading partners of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, supplying them mainly with fossil fuels and with less diversified exports.

In order to promote the diversification of the economies of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, the "Belt and Road" and the European Union have enormous potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the implementation of joint projects in emerging sectors in these regions, such as the digital economy, electric vehicles, energy and water-saving technologies, construction, light and chemical industries, the construction of "smart cities" and "smart agriculture". It should also strengthen cooperation on the implementation of digital trade documents and simplification of freight transportation procedures.

The "Belt and Road" and the European Union have more common interests than differences, but the tone of recent statements points to the need for constructive dialogue.

The "Belt and Road" and the European Union should engage in in-depth discussions and seek consensus on combining the "Belt and Road" and Global Gateway initiatives to ensure stability and sustainable development in Eurasia, particularly in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

As a first step, I believe that it is necessary to organize a meeting of representatives of the analytical centers of the European Union, Turkey, the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and China to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all issues related to the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and the European Union Global Gateway.

Therefore, I am convinced that the European Union's cooperation with the Belt and Road Initiative will serve the future of peace and stability and therefore the future of humanity, apart from the "Win-Win" philosophy.

Our planet needs peace, understanding and stability. I see and believe that the cooperation of the Belt and Road with the

European Union is important as a force that will fulfill this need.

Thank you for listening to me!