Athens, Dec 14 (IANS): The 41st Meeting of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held here on Friday, ending with a call for closer cooperation within the group, with the EU and other organizations to promote economic growth, peace and stability.

Greece, which hands over the rotating six-month chairmanship-in-office to Romania in January 2020, welcomed officials from the 12-member organization for an assessment of work done in recent months and planning for next steps, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Under the motto 'Black Sea, Green Energy, Blue Growth' we have implemented a comprehensive calendar of events so as to enhance our cooperation in a number of key areas, energy, transport tourism, etc.," Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias told a press briefing at the closure of the event.

"We will try to bring our contribution to the sustainable development of the wider Black Sea region. If we manage to have more economic prosperity, that means that we will also make a step forward in making sure we will have peace and stability in the region," his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu said on his part.

"I am convinced we are closer to future solutions," Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ekaterina Zakharieva, told the press conference, stressing also the need for deeper collaboration with the EU as a first step.