Based in Bucharest, it has several Black Sea states as members or observers.

Will the Bucharest Summit, which the Prime Minister of Canada will be attending in September, be the opportunity to establish a major 10-year basic education program with the European countries, the African countries and the countries of the Maghreb region, so that we can put an end to this intolerable, scandalous situation in which 35 to 40% of the children in Haiti are uneducated?

21. Congratulates Romania on the progress in achieving macro-economic stability in the framework of a significant GDP growth in 2002 and the first half of 2003; expects these gains to be invested in the continuing modernisation of the economy in order to improve the competitiveness of Romania and its ability to withstand the pressures in the single market; is concerned, however, that regional income disparities are further increasing with Bucharest having nearly three times the GDP per capita levels of the poorest region; asks the government to focus particular attention on economically backward regions;

21. Congratulates Romania on the progress in achieving macro-economic stability in the framework of a significant GDP growth in 2002 and the first half of 2003; expects that these gains will be invested in the continuing modernisation of the economy in order to improve the competitiveness of Romania and its ability to withstand the pressures in the Single Market; is concerned, however, that regional income disparities are further increasing with Bucharest having nearly three times the GDP per capita levels of the poorest region; asks the government to focus particular attention on economically backward regions;

In view of the Conference held in Bucharest last November, I think that development of the Balkan Energy market can contribute to peace and stability in the whole region of Southeastern Europe and the Black sea", declared the Commissionner.

At the initiative of Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, responsible for Energy, a Ministerial Conference entitled "European Union - Black Sea Region: Extending Cooperation between two key players in the World Energy Market" will be held in Bucharest, on 28 November 1997.