The 2nd International Energy and Economy Forum of Black Sea countries began in a downtown hotel in Istanbul on Wednesday with an address by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Greek Deputy Environment, Energy and Climatic Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis is participating in the forum, that will last until October 1.

On Friday October 1, Maniatis will take part in an entity titled "After the Gulf of Mexico-The Development of Hydrocarbons and the Managing of Risks."

The forum which is being organised by the American "Atlantic Council" was held for the first time last year in Romania.