KIEV, April 14 – Japan has asked member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization for observer status, Serhiy Korsunsky, the head of the economic cooperation department at the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine told the press at a briefing on Monday.

He said the second meeting between BSECO and Japan was held in 2008.

"Japan has endorsed a new concept of its foreign policy not long ago. As a result, we have a request from Japan to grant them the status of observer," he said.