Participation of the PABSEC Delegation to the International Conference of the Balkans and Black Sea Region, 27–29 May 2026, Patras, Region of Western Greece
Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of the PABSEC Hellenic Delegation and Ms. Valentina Cobzareanu, PABSEC Deputy Secretary General, participated in the International Conference of the Balkans and Black Sea Region, 27–29 May 2026, Patras, Western Greece, Hellenic Republic.
The Conference, organised by the Balkan & Black Sea Commission (BBSC) of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), in cooperation with the BSEC PERMIS and the PABSEC International Secretariat, brought together high level representatives of regional authorities, national governments, European institutions, international organisations, academia, business stakeholders, and civil society.
Within the framework of the Conference, Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, PABSEC Vice-President, participated as a speaker in the session entitled “Strategic Tourism Cooperation in the CPMR & BSEC regions”
In her intervention, Ms. Sofia Voultepsi emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation among the Balkan and Black Sea countries through tourism, describing it as a powerful instrument for economic growth, intercultural dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. She highlighted tourism and culture among the priorities of the forthcoming Hellenic Presidency of PABSEC and called for joint regional initiatives, enhanced connectivity, sustainable tourism development, and the promotion of multi-destination tourism products. Stressing the need to address infrastructure, accessibility, and workforce challenges, she underlined that closer cooperation in tourism can help build a region characterised by peace, unity, understanding, and reconciliation, “from the Black Sea to the Adriatic.”
In her opening remarks, Ms. Valentina Cobzareanu, PABSEC Deputy Secretary General, highlighted the vital role of parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation in addressing the challenges faced by the Balkan and Black Sea regions. Presenting PABSEC as a unique political forum of inter-parliamentary dialogue in the Black Sea Region, she underscored the importance of maintaining dialogue, fostering trust, and promoting policy convergence in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Ms Cobzareanu emphasised that enhanced cooperation in energy connectivity, transport and logistics, sustainable tourism, climate resilience, and the blue economy is essential for strengthening regional stability, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
The Conference adopted the “Patras Joint Statement on Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Balkan and Black Sea Area”.