BLACK SEA COUNTRIES SIGN BLACK SEA FORCE AGREEMENT IN ISTANBUL, 2001-04-02 (photo)

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem (3rd L) talks to Russian deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Avdayev (2nd L) during a family photo with the delegates from the Black Sea countries on the waterfront of Ciragan palace in Istanbul where they signed a Black Sea Force agreement April 2, 2001. The meeting aiming to set up a naval task force group for rescue and search operations in the Black Sea was attended by Bulgarian Navy Force commander Vice Admiral Petar Petrov (L), Russian first deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Avdayev, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Megarashvili (3rd R), Ukrainian first deputy Foreign Minister Yuriy Sergeyev (2nd R), Romanian Secretary of State for Ministery of Foreign Affairs Mihnea Motoc (R). FS/CLH/