Nowadays, modern tourism is one of the factors that negatively impacts on the environment. At the same time, it plays an important role in the processes of socioeconomic development of particular countries and whole regions. Therefore, the implementation of environmentally friendly models of tourist activities ranges among the primary objectives of sustainable development.
Natural heritage and multiculturalism of the Black Sea region make it attractive for tourists. A considerable part of states entering into it experience vitally important transformations which are furthered by their participation in the European Union's Eastern Partnership program, directed at the adoption of European values and implementation of the respective experiences.
European Greens consider that any issues of environmentally friendly, sustainable tourism must take a rightful place on the agenda of the Eastern Partnership, in coordination with the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the Balkan and Black Sea Cooperation, as several countries bordering the Black Sea were and still are not averse to military interventions in their neighbouring countries. This approach will facilitate dealing with common problems of environmental protection and international security, economic and social development of the region, employment, goods and capital mobility, cultural exchange activation and contribute to a better understanding, both at the regional and Pan-European level.
The need for supplementary political efforts within the context of extension of cooperation, directed at ensuring sustainable development of the region in general and well-balanced tourism in particular, arose not least because of the growing militarization of the region, conflicting with all-human values and interests of environmental and economic collaboration.
We call on the European Commission to regard the Black Sea region as a zone of the utmost importance for ensuring Pan-European interests, and consider the development of sustainable tourism as an important tool to achieve the objectives of the Eastern Partnership.
Special tourism development project should be elaborated in the Eastern Partnership frame with involvement both EU and non-EU states of the region for their common usefulness.
We call the European Union to make all the possible diplomatic efforts to avoid further militarization of the Black Sea region.
