A joint symposium on "Environmental Protection for Economic Growth: the Best Implementations in Environment", which is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), has begun in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The symposium brings together government, business and civil society leaders from the United States and BSEC-members countries Turkey, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine to discuss how environmental protection could boost economic development and broader cooperation in the region.

BSEC Secretary-General Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos said at the opening of the symposium that the Black Sea is a common point of interest for these countries to collaborate in improving living standards.

He said that Black Sea is not protected by common policies or regional implementations, however, BSEC has been pointing out the importance of cooperation among Black Sea countries to control environmental pollution, eliminate consequences of natural or industrial disasters, establish management strategies at coastal areas and boost tourism by the help of environment-friendly activities.

Chrysanthopoulos also said that BSEC underscored in its action plan the importance of using advanced environment-friendly technologies and the waste management in coastal provinces.

On the other hand, U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary Colleen Graffy said that pollution in agricultural areas, rivers, lakes and seas will cause diseases.

Highlighting the importance of education for people and governments to become environment-conscious, Graffy said that governments, private sector and people should leave aside their self-interests and work together.