Radul Kovachev IBSC Secretary General Varna, Bulgaria Mobile: +359 886 531446

1. IBSC – 20 years on the Black Sea Scene2012 Annual Conference of JOP/BSB 2007-2013 18 - 19 September 2012, Chisinau, Moldova Radul Kovachev IBSC Secretary General Varna, Bulgaria Mobile: +359 886 531446 E-mail:radulkovachev@mail.bg radulkovachev@gmail.com ibsc@tnt.bg Radul Kovachev

2. Contents 1. Organizational experience 2. Achievements 3. Best practices 4. Problems in the region 5. Recommendations for cooperation Radul Kovachev

3. 1. What is International Black Sea Club - IBSC And why I have the right to be here? Radul Kovachev

4. IBSC Mile-stones Start - July 1992, Varna, Bulgaria (Just 1 month after BSEC ! ) First Meeting of Intent for founding of International Black Sea Club - IBSC 6Black Sea Cities from 4 countries – Varna, Bourgas, Odessa, Istanbul, Constanta, Thessaloniki Radul Kovachev

5. December 1992, Odessa, Ukraine 1-st Founding Assembly – 10cities: approved Constituent Statute and I-st Program, elected First IBSC President with 3-years mandate - Mayor of Varna Radul Kovachev

6. December 1993, Varna, Bulgaria 3-rd IBSC Assembly, signing of all documents for the registration of IBSC as International non-governmental, non profit Organization according to the existing Bulgarian Law for NGOs Radul Kovachev

7. December 1993, Sofia, Bulgaria Obtaining of Observer Status to BSEC http://www.bsec-organization.org BSEC/PERMIS in Istanbul today: Radul Kovachev

8. February 1994, Varna, Bulgaria Ready Decision for IBSC Registration by Regional Court – Varna: Radul Kovachev

9. May 1997, New York, USA Obtaining Special Consultative Status with UN/ECOSOC IBSC Delegation – Taganrog, Odessa, Varna http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc Radul Kovachev

10. Next meetings - every year in different city Last XXII Assembly – Sept. 2011, Azov, Russia Next, XXIII Assembly, Jubilee 20 years - 27-30 Sept. 2012, Varna, Bulgaria Radul Kovachev

11. 2. IBSC Now What we managed to achieve and to preserve for these 20 years: IBSC is a real network of 30 port-cities from the cross-region of Sea of Azov, Black Sea, Sea of Marmara and Aegean Sea www.i-bsc.org Radul Kovachev

12. www.i-bsc.org Radul Kovachev

13. 3. More important joint projects and initiatives • 1997 – 1998 - Piraeus, Odessa, Taganrog; European Commission - DGI / TACIS, Project MACIS (MArine Cooperation In Black Sea) • 1995 – 1997 - Varna, Bourgas; Piraeus, Kavala; Galati – European Commission - DGI / PHARE, COPERNICUSProject - Pilot GIS in the cities-partners • August 1995 - December 1995, United Nations Office for Project Services / Global Environmental Fund (GEF) / Black SeaEnvironmental Programme (BSEP), Istanbul, Turkey, Sustainable Tourism Initiative • IBSC/Business Council – since 1993 • Fresh foods markets 2001-2012 – infrastructure development, trainings and marketing information system, conferences Radul Kovachev

14. Covenant of Mayors http://www.eumayors.eu/about/covenant-of-mayors_en.html Many IBSC city-members have signed the Covenant Radul Kovachev

15. 4. My message - The Problem ! Black Sea is not “connecting” but “separating” the cities and the littoral states! We are not like Mediterranean Sea!!! Radul Kovachev

16. Reasons !? Many historical reasons – political, economical, geographical, organizational, military, conflict zones, etc., still going-on… Radul Kovachev

17. We are family!!! The Black Sea nations have similar habits, cuisine, folk, dances, dresses, etc. - we are like a big family, but fighting between each other! Radul Kovachev

18. 5. To change this… Many initiatives have been launched in the last 20 years… Radul Kovachev

19. Organizations in Black Sea Region • Numerous international organizations and initiatives exist in the Black Sea Region at all levels – starting from BSEC at Governmental level, passing through environmental NGOs, shipbuilding, shipping, shipowners’ and one of the latest - Black Sea Euroregion, established September 2008 Radul Kovachev

20. Yes, but … • All the above initiatives aim at changing the situation… • However, the results from the activity of all of them are disputable and insufficient ! Radul Kovachev

21. Strategies … I am sure that all of these organizations have developed, elaborated and updated their own strategies, action-plans, programs, etc. Radul Kovachev

22. … and Actions… I am sure also that they are developing and implementing many projects Radul Kovachev

23. The Black Sea Reality “Politics is the art of the possible” Otto Von Bismarck Aug. 11, 1867 Radul Kovachev

24. Black Sea and the Balkans • Since Europe and EU are to the West … • …During the last 20 years most of our politicians were staring West from the Balkans… • …But Black Sea is to the East and will be there forever! • Much longer after these Politicians will be out of the political scene !!! Radul Kovachev

25. Strategies vs Actions That is why we need Specific actions and projects Small steps but real AT ALL LEVELS under programs like the JOP - “BLACK SEA BASIN 2007-2013”!! To achieve the synergy we all want !! Radul Kovachev

26. 5. Recommendations The IBSC membership-list is a real data-base with contacts and partners for different projects in the field of economy, culture, sports, education, maritime businesses, agro-sector and fresh foods markets, ecology, environmental protection, etc. Under JOP/BSB and other EU Programs we are able to offer wide possibilities for joint actions and projects Radul Kovachev

27. Thank you for your attention and patience! Radul Kovachev