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CIAO DATE: 05/06
The Role of the Wider Black Sea Area in a Future European Security Space, Volume 1
ed. Jean Dufourcq and Lionel Ponsard
December 2005
Introduction
The Black Sea is at the forefront of the strategic agenda for 2005, though its ordinary geographical name tends to conceal the dynamic geopolitical realities of an area where a transformation is in full swing.
Exactly 60 years have gone by since the agreement in the Crimean town of Yalta redrew Eastern and Western boundaries and created the Cold War fault line in the heart of Europe; a barrier that has now been erased but has not been forgotten. The old continent has gradually been unified through successive enlargements of its institutions. The wave of integration has swept as far as the Black Sea, as is clear from recent media interest in the Turkish question and the emerging prospect of Ukrainian candidacy.
At the same time, political modernization processes, in some cases triggered by the 'flower revolutions' in the countries of the region, have ensured a relatively smooth transition to a new political order, particularly in the South Caucasus. Moreover, the Black Sea littoral states have initiated intensive consultations with a view to maximizing the area's special potential and role as a strategic crossroads where numerous geographical, political, economic, cultural and institutional forces come into play.
These complex issues have been the subject of preliminary studies by the NATO Defense College research team 2. To further and deepen understanding of developments in a region of vital concern to many Atlantic Alliance member and partner nations, a meeting of researchers and regional experts, sponsored by the NSC3, was held on 6 and June 20054 in Constanta (Romania) to discuss 'The Role of the Wider Black Sea Area in a Future European Security Space.'
