The Shifting Geopolitics of the Black Sea Region Actors, Drivers and Challenges Geir Flikke (ed.), Einar Wigen, Helge Blakkisrud and Pål Kolstø Norwegian Institute of International Affairs International of Institute Norwegian Institutt Utenrikspolitisk Norsk NUPI Report Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Copyright: © Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 2011 ISBN: 978-82-7002-303-5 Any views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. The text may not be printed in part or in full without the permission of the authors. Visiting address: C.J. Hambros plass 2d Address: P.O. Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway Internet: www.nupi.no E-mail:
[email protected] Fax: [+ 47] 22 36 21 82 Tel: [+ 47] 22 99 40 00 The Shifting Geopolitics of the Black Sea Region Actors, Drivers and Challenges Geir Flikke (ed.), Einar Wigen, Helge Blakkisrud and Pål Kolstø Introduction2 The Black Sea has long been a focal point for regionalization. Both the EU and NATO have had a proactive policy in the region, and various cooperative arrangements have been made to enhance multilateral mari- time governance in the Black Sea. Numerous regional mechanisms for interaction and cooperation among the littoral states have been set up, such as the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership (BSF) and the Black Sea Initiative of the EU (BSI). In January 2011, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Black Sea, reflecting the fact that since 2005 the region itself has entered a new modus operandi.