Turkey takes helm of SE Europe Cooperation Process
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 01:30 | 01 July 2020
- Modified Date: 01:30 | 01 July 2020
Turkey has now taken the helm of a group of southeastern European countries including the Balkans, said the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
"Turkey assumes the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP) 2020-2021 Chairmanship-in-Office on 1 July 2020, for one year, for the third time," said a ministry statement.
"Turkey's previous Chairmanships were in 1998-1999 and 2009-2010," the statement added.
Founded in 1996, the SEECP includes 13 countries from southeastern Europe and promotes comprehensive regional cooperation.
On its turn at the helm, the statement explained: "Turkey identified its Chairmanship priorities taking into account global and regional issues that occupy the agenda of the countries in the region with a special emphasis on the fight against Covid-19, and will carry out its activities on the basis of 'regional ownership' and 'inclusiveness,' which are the basic principles of the SEECP."