Varna, on the Black Sea June 14 (BTA) - Countries of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) will commit to developing a common tourist brand, said Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova on Thursday. She participated in a BSEC ministerial within the framework of the Bulgarian EU Presidency in Varna, on the Black Sea.

The countries had adopted a declaration which envisages joint cultural and cruise routes in the Black Sea, said Angelkova. With the declaration BSEC countries have already reached an agreement that the routes will include only places free of conflict. She said that only sites on UNESCO's list of world cultural heritage will be included.

Each year BSEC countries receive 119 million foreign tourists. BSEC Secretary General Michael Christides said that the focus will be on attracting tourists and increasing investments in the industry.

BSEC Parliamentary Assembly Asaf Hajiyev said that the visa regime causes setbacks to visits to Bulgaria. He recommended that such documents are issued upon arrival at the airport.