The Economic, Commercial and Financial Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Co-operation (PABSEC) conducted its 57^th meeting remotely on 22 September.

The PABSEC Azerbaijani delegation’s Eldar Ibrahimov and Elshad Mirbashir oglu as well as representatives of the other Member States took part in the meeting at which they adopted the agenda on listening to the introductory memo by Committee Chairman Petar Kanev of Bulgaria. The Minutes of the 56^th Committee meeting held, again, online in March 2021 was approved as well.

A member of the Russian delegation Aleksey Kobilev presented a draft report ‘Co-Operation in the Field of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the BSEC Member States’ while Committee Chairman Petar Kanev tabled the draft recommendations. Both submissions contain an analysis of the modern pharmaceutical industry, which is one of the most innovative areas of the global economy. The documents accentuate the exceptionally important mission of pharmacists who produce new and tested medicines and vaccines for prevention and treatment of diseases. The pharmaceutical industry is now facing the dire need to aid the humankind urgently to save millions of lives as the humankind is coping with the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the speakers made a call for new approaches in health care round the world.

Going forth, the presenters emphasised whilst quoting the World Health Organisation that the staple medications remained without the reach of approximately 2 billion people whilst exactly a half of the planet’s population cannot use the fundamental health services right now.

It was mentioned further that the PABSEC had called on its Member States to implement appropriate internal reforms and boost co-operation with the concerned international and regional institutions to eliminate the crisis, all in view of the pressing nature of the problem in a pandemic environment. Besides, the Assembly has drafted a report and a compendium of recommendations on the subject-matter.

The Turkish delegation’s leader Cemal Öztürk updated his colleagues on the state of affairs in the medications market and pharmaceutical industry of his country when the above matter was under discussion.

Next, the Committee approved the ‘Co-Operation in the Field of the Pharmaceutical Industry in the BSEC Member States’ report and the draft recommendations. Rapporteurs were also appointed to bring the subject up with the General Assembly.

Housekeeping issues were considered at the meeting, too. Maria-Alexandra Kefala was made Deputy Chair of the PABSEC Economic, Commercial and Financial Affairs Committee. The date, venue and agenda of the next committee meeting were decided as well.

A report on the current activities of the PABSEC was heard then.

Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-Operation Asaf Hajiyev commented on the topicality of the meeting by way of summing it up; he also wished the representatives of the recently-admitted Member States success.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis