Organization Of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Research Articles

The evaluation of Turkey's foreign trade with different country groups within the framework of the gravity model

The gravity model is based on the law known as the gravitational law discovered by Newton and was first used by Tinbergen to explain the foreign trade flow. It assumes that the size of the countries affects the foreign trade flow positively and the distance variable affects the foreign trade flow negatively. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization was established under the leadership of Turkey to develop foreign trade with the countries that declared their autonomy. Similar to the story of the disintegrating Soviets, the Balkan Countries also declared their independence by leaving Yugoslavia. This study aims to investigate whether the gravity model is appropriate to explain Turkey’s exports and imports to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), Balkan and selected countries during the 1996-2019 period. Export and import were used as dependent variables. Gravity model variables such as GDP, distance, population, language and common border variables were used to explain the exports and imports of the respective countries. For all these models, panel data analysis techniques were employed; pooled, random and fixed effects models were estimated and then tests for the model selection were carried out to choose the most appropriate model. After the appropriate models were determined, the assumption tests were executed. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the gravity model was suitable to explain Turkey’s imports to the Balkan countries and exports to the selected country groups. The results of the study suggested that while the gravity model was suitable for explaining the factors affecting Turkey’s trade flow for some country groups, it further suggested that it was not suitable for some countries.

Turkish-Russian Relations within the BSEC

The article provides a brief analysis of the history of development and the current state of the Russian-Turkish partnership within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, which can be considered a functional area of cooperation that uses the convergence of the countries of the region by creating cooperation on various issues, such as the production of energy from underground resources of strategic importance for the region, agricultural production and tourism. In addition to this, the Black Sea Economic Organization is of notable importance in terms of sustaining stability in the region due to addressing the growing security concerns in the Black Sea region. The concept of a global security threat changed shape with the end of the Cold War. This led to a change in the view of international organizations on defense and allowed a focus on increasing the level of stability through the global policy of cooperation organizations created for security and economic purposes. The article also describes the measures and results of the two countries to ensure the fuel and energy balance in the Black Sea region, steps to reduce political tension associated with Turkey's participation in a strategic partnership with the EU countries, key projects in the fuel and energy sector. It should be noted that the identity of the historical destinies of Russia and Turkey, their historical and cultural role of the "East" in the West and "West" in the East, the unique geopolitical position, geographical proximity contribute to the strengthening of economic, political, cultural ties between Russia and Turkey.

Turkish-Russian Relations within the BSEC

The article provides a brief analysis of the history of development and the current state of the Russian-Turkish partnership within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, which can be considered a functional area of cooperation that uses the convergence of the countries of the region by creating cooperation on various issues, such as the production of energy from underground resources of strategic importance for the region, agricultural production and tourism. In addition to this, the Black Sea Economic Organization is of notable importance in terms of sustaining stability in the region due to addressing the growing security concerns in the Black Sea region. The concept of a global security threat changed shape with the end of the Cold War. This led to a change in the view of international organizations on defense and allowed a focus on increasing the level of stability through the global policy of cooperation organizations created for security and economic purposes. The article also describes the measures and results of the two countries to ensure the fuel and energy balance in the Black Sea region, steps to reduce political tension associated with Turkey's participation in a strategic partnership with the EU countries, key projects in the fuel and energy sector. It should be noted that the identity of the historical destinies of Russia and Turkey, their historical and cultural role of the "East" in the West and "West" in the East, the unique geopolitical position, geographical proximity contribute to the strengthening of economic, political, cultural ties between Russia and Turkey.

DEVELOPMENT OF PRİORİTİES AND PROSPECTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN AZERBAIJAN

DEVELOPMENT OF PRİORİTİES AND PROSPECTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN AZERBAIJAN

Evaluation of human capital performance of the countries by CRITIC and COPRAS methods: an application on the members of the organization of the black sea economic cooperation

This study aims to evaluate the members of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) in terms of human capital performance using CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) and COPRAS (Complex Proportional Assessment) methods. A hybrid method has been used in analysis. This integrated model consists of a combination of CRITIC and COPRAS methods. The CRITIC method was used to find the objective weights of the criteria. The COPRAS method was used to rank the countries according to their performance. The infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births), unemployment rate (percentage of the total labour force), average life expectancy at birth, total (years), labour force participation rate (percentage of the total population aged 15-64), current health expenditure (percentage of GDP), internet users (percentage of the total population) and population aged 15-64 (percentage of the total population) are used as criteria for measuring the human capital of countries. 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018 data of the countries were used in the study. According to the analysis result, Serbia, Greece, Romania in 2000, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria in 2005, Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, in 2010, Russia, Moldova, Bulgaria in 2015, Russia, Romania and Bulgaria in 2018 are the top three countries with the highest human capital performance. Countries with the lowest human capital performance are as follows: Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia in 2000 and 2005; Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, in 2010; Turkey, Azerbaijan, Albania in 2015 and 2018.

Protecting the environment as an international process: Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)

At In this paper, it was attempted to examine and analyze the environmental and sociological impact of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) that was established in June 1992 in Istanbul. Members of the organization are Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Greece. The researchers and scholars should keep in mind that The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (the Black Sea Commission or BSC), through its Permanent Secretariat, is the intergovernmental association founded in execution of the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention), its Protocols and the Strategic Action Plan for the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea. Therefore, through BSEC, in the Summit Declaration signed with the participation of the Heads of State and Government of 11 member countries, the Black Sea region is envisaged to be a zone of peace, stability, and welfare. The mechanism chosen to achieve this goal is environmental, economic and social cooperation.

The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organization: Civil Cooperation Strategies

Efforts by individual countries or groups of Black Sea’s surroundings countries to cooperate have remained on the agenda of these countries for the last quarter of a century. However, it was a generally accepted assessment that the point reached in spite of all the struggles was not satisfactory. Especially today, we are targeting very serious regional war scenarios, which has found supporters on global and regional scale, which threaten peace and tranquility. It has become more important than ever that the countries of the region come together and join forces. On the other hand, in view of the neo-liberal global economic movements, it is understood that the countries of the region are in need of each other. These countries need to come together and establish a dialoge and partnership networks.From this point of view, efforts to develop socio-economic and cultural relations between the countries of the Black Sea region at the institutional level (public and private sector) in such a way that the people are directly involved are strategically important for the socio-cultural integration of societies and the development of commercial relations as well as to ensure regional security. In our article, after analyzing the structure and activities of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2023, what the strategic relationship formats between the countries in the region can be and how they can be developed will be discussed.

Energy Security of the Black Sea Region: Geostrategy and Geoenergy Measurement

The purpose of the article is the analysis of the state of energy security in the states of the Black Sea region in terms of the geopolitics and geostrategies of different regional and international political forces. Energy security is interpreted as the provision of steady energy supply from different types and sources (diversification) and energy market stability. Energy security analysts have always emphasized the importance of energy and energy policies, but too often focused solely on the utilization of resources as an element of political power. The problem of energy and its security is often viewed as vague, misunderstood or unsolvable, with countries hostage to threats with hazardous consequences. A quality selection of analytical and statistical resources has been made to identify energy security problems, such as the growing dependence of most advanced industrial countries on oil and gas supplies, and increasing demand from developing economies for fuel. The objectives of the study are based on the notion of the regional division between the states of the Black Sea basin. The results of the study are founded on the analysis of the operations of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization and the geostrategic and geopolitics interests of the major players in the Black Sea region in the context of their energy security. The article is concluded with the suggestion of a potential solution to the problem of uneven geographic distribution of energy resources such as oil and gas on the political map of the world. The political instruments for influencing energy security in the EU, NATO, USA, Russia and Turkey are analyzed in the article. Recommendations for reducing potential conflicts in the Black Sea region and minimizing the impact on the energy security of the states involved by providing a steady energy supply are given.

Механизм оказания консультационной поддержки в зоне транспортного коридора Организации Черноморского Экономического Сотрудничества

Механизм оказания консультационной поддержки в зоне транспортного коридора Организации Черноморского Экономического Сотрудничества

Prospects of leadership for Ukrainian economy in the Black Sea European region

The article researches one of possible vectors of Ukrainian integration in view of modern geo-economical transformations taking into consideration the most actual trends in development of worldwide economy and international relations. Integration processes within the framework of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSECO) are reviewed as an aid to adapt national economy of Ukraine to modern geo-economical transformation in worldwide economy. Involvement and participation of Ukraine in regional structure of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation is caused by transit nature of its economy. Cooperation within the BSECO is one of the most important directions contributing into economic and energetic stability of Ukraine encompassing such projects, as seaports improvement and reconstruction, cyclic Black Sea road and gas pipelines running across the Black Sea. The Black Sea electric power ring is vitally important for both Ukrainian and European stability.

Turkish Policy towards the Wider Black Sea and the EU Connection

The Black Sea has been on the global agenda since the end of the Cold War; and Turkey has appeared as a rising regional power in the region. Turkey's policies in the Black Sea have aimed at the creation of region-wide multilateral cooperation schemes. Starting with the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, it initiated several institutions with varying degrees of success. In addition to creating a stable environment, conducive to increased cooperation and enhanced trade relationships, sustaining maritime security through an elaborate balance of power in the region has been important for Turkey. While it supported closer relations with and further integration into the European Union, Turkey does not wish to see competitive projects aimed at the region evolving into a cause for instability.

Europe’s new region: The Black Sea in the wider Europe neighbourhood

Situated at the crossroads between Europe and Asia as well as Russia and the Middle East, the Black Sea is more than a region of local strategic significance, representing an axis of increasing geo‐political importance to the European Union. With its mosaic of problems, the wider Black Sea region is one of the more important challenges that the enlarged EU will face. Once Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey become members, the EU will directly border the Black Sea, accounting half of its coastline. As such, it will have to develop policies for regional issues and problems. Finding ways to prevent likely destabilizing factors to come to the fore in regional level and dealing with them before affecting the EU area would be a trial for the EU, which so far resisted calls to develop a regional approach towards the Black Sea and to actively participate in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization. It might be the right time now to reconsider that position in the ‘wider Europe‐neighbourhood’ context.