The EU's Black Sea regional initiative aims at a comprehensive approach including all countries in the region; therefore the wide membership of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)[10] and the fact that Russia and Turkey are its founding members is a decisive advantage and could substantially contribute to the success of Black Sea Synergy.

To this end, Member States will be encouraged to work within the framework of regional seas conventions – including the Black Sea Commission (See Annex I) Community accession to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution is a priority.

This fully transparent and inclusive initiative is based on the common interests of the EU and the Black Sea region and takes into account the results of consultations with all Black Sea states.

The Black Sea - an environmental crisis in the making Sewage, toxic waste and agricultural fertilisers have seriously polluted the waters of the Black Sea, as have off-shore oil and gas installations.

The following specific objectives should be pursued in respect of Ukrainian cooperation with the Black Sea states: - opening up access to the Caspian basin and to Central Asia, allowing diversification of energy supplies; - stabilization of an especially sensitive geopolitical bloc; - stepping up cooperation in the Black Sea region by taking an active role in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Council; - better coordination of aid programmes (Tacis and Meda) (5) Forging closer contractual relations (a) Implementation of the Interim Agreement and potential of the Partnership Agreement Ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement by the Member States is ...[+++] a political priority.

The European Community has earmarked 2 MECU of assistance as part of a worldwide effort to help eradicate the severe environmental problems facing the Black Sea. The funds will be used in five of the countries bordering the Black Sea - Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ukraine and Russia.