Vladimir Litvin and Mehmet Ali Sahin

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Vladimir Litvin, left, and speaker of the parliament of Turkey Mehmet Ali Sahin during the 36th plenary session of the General Assembly of Parliamentary Assembly of Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), in Trabzon (Turkey), on Wednesday, November 3, 2010. Vladimir Litvin recommends the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation to initiate strengthening of cooperation between the Black Sea Region countries, the European Union and the Council of Europe. During the Plenary Session, Ukraine took over chairmanship in PABSEC from Turkey. Vladimir Litvin focused on the importance of the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue for the Black Sea Region countries. The Head of the Parliament admitted that the Black Sea Region countries "are, unfortunately, not devoid of conflicts and threats: the sword of Damocles of lasting ‘frozen conflicts´, international terrorism, international and religious conflicts, struggle for markets in the Black Sea basin is hanging over the region." In this context, Vladimir Litvin attaches great importance to the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue. He underscored the leading role of the Parliaments "and the parliamentary dimension of the inter-cultural and inter-civilization dialogue" in the consolidation of the universal principles of political diversity common democratic values, human rights and freedoms, rule of law, pluralism, tolerance, non-discrimination and mutual respect. Photo by Anastasiya Sirotkina / POOL / UNIAN