ABSTRACT
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) was established in 1992 to strengthen regional co-operation, particularly in the field of economic development. In June 1998, at a summit meeting held in Yalta, Ukraine, participating countries signed the BSEC Charter, thereby officially elevating BSEC to regional organization status. Chairmanship of the Council rotates among members every six months; the Chairman-in-Office coordinates the activities undertaken by BSEC. In April 2008 the Council adopted the modalities for BSEC fast-track co-operation, aimed at enabling sub-groups of member states to proceed with policies that other member states were unwilling or unable to pursue. In November 2012 the first BSEC Tax Forum was held, in Antalya, Turkey, with participation by ministers responsible for finance, senior tax policy officials, tax specialists and academics. In December 2016 the BSEC Council agreed an Collaboration in Emergency Assistance and Emergency Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters, and a related Additional Protocol.
