The Balkan and Black Sea Commission

The objective of the Balkan and Black Sea Commission is to encourage dialogue and cooperation between sub-state spheres of government in the wider Balkan and Black Sea area.

It constitutes a lasting institutional framework to support the integration of these areas and improve their relations with the EU in the context of enlargement. It contributes towards peace and stability in the area, promotes regionalisation and encourages the application of the principles of subsidiary and complementarity between the local, regional, national and European Institutional levels.

It also acts as a bridge between programmes and strategies implemented by the EU and activities developed by other networks and institutions in the region, like the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

It is project-oriented, encouraging and helping the member regions to implement transnational cooperation projects, with the support of dedicated and focussed working groups, and – when relevant – of EU funding. The BBSC is significant arena for actions conducive of exchanges of good practices. The exchange of views and good practices provide members with fruitful outcomes thanks to the various political and technical meetings, set up within the organisation, which can largely enrich member’s regional strategies.

The EU Cohesion Policy for 2014-2020 includes a number of territorial cooperation programmes which are of relevance to regions located on the Balkans and Black Sea. These include for instance Black Sea Basin ENI CBC 2014-2020 and the Transnational Cooperation Programmes of the period 2014-2020: Balkan-Mediterranean, Danube, and Adriatic-Ionian.

A Pioneering Partnership

Greek and Romanian regions were behind the initiative to set up Geographical Commissions in the Balkans and the Black Sea area under the umbrella of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR). The Black Sea and Balkans Commissions were created in 2002 and 2003 respectively. They merged in 2004 in order to develop joint projects.

The CPMR Balkan and Black Sea Commission (BBSC) currently brings together 20 Regions from Greece, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Albania, and Georgia. It represents a useful tool and way to address specific issues that are common to the members of the geographical area which are then voiced at the highest European level.

Main Objectives : Cooperation and Stability

The objective of the Balkan and Black Sea Commission is to encourage dialogue and cooperation between sub-state spheres of government. The aim is to constitute a lasting institutional framework to support the integration in the EU in the context of enlargement and – beyond – contribute to efficient and peaceful neighbourhood relationships.

The aim of the CPMR Balkan and Black Sea Commission (BBSC), as stated in its Rules of Procedure, is to act as the political voice of the CPMR Regions situated in the wider Balkan and Black Sea area with the following principal objectives:

  • Enhancement of dialogue and cooperation between all regional authorities of the wider Balkan and Black Sea area and further cooperation between its members
  • Promotion of integration or close cooperation of the Balkan and Black Sea regions with the European Union
  • Identification, promotion and participation in cooperation programmes that boost the achievement or pursuit of its objectives
  • Participation via consultations and proposals to inter-state structures of the wider Balkan and Black Sea area.

 Download the BBSC Action Plan 2020-2022

Forthcoming Events

May 15

EXTERNAL EVENT – 9th EUSAIR Forum: Shaping the Future of EUSAIR

15 May - 16 May
Šibenik
Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska)
May 30

European Maritime Day 2024

30 May - 31 May
Svendborg
Denmark

President

Horia TEODORESCU
BBSC President
President, Tulcea County Council (Romania)

Biography of the President
President’s Declaration

1st Vice-president

Fokion ZAIMIS
1st Vice-president
Deputy Governor, Region of Western Greece (Greece)

Biography of the 1st Vice-president

Organisation

The Balkan and Black Sea Commission is directed by the Assembly of its members (which meet twice a year), the Political Bureau and its President. An Executive Secretary is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Commission, with the backing of the CPMR Secretariat. The CPMR General Secretariat, based in Rennes, assists day-to-day work of the President. The headquarters of the Commission are located in Kavala in Greece.

 Download the BBSC Rules of Procedure

Annual General Assembly

The Balkan and Black Sea Commission holds  a General Assembly once a year. Each Region has one vote for key political decisions and spending issues.

It also holds a Plenary Assembly once a year on the sidelines of the Annual CPMR General Assembly. All the Balkan and Black Sea Commission members must also be members of CPMR.

Political Bureau

The Political Bureau is made up of the President of the Commission and a full member and a substitute member nominated by the Member Regions of each State within which BBSC has members. Each member of the Political Bureau shall be elected for a period of two years. The Political Bureau shall meet at least twice a year.