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Baku hosts 3rd Security Forum of the Southern Caucasus

02 December 2010 14:31 (UTC +04:00)

The forum on the theme â€œAzerbaijan and the Eastern Partnership: Addressing Regional Challenges and Identifying New Opportunitiesâ€ is organized by the Center for Strategic Studies under Azerbaijani President, Security Forum of the Southern Caucasus, embassy of Poland in Azerbaijan and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Director of the Center for Strategic Studies Elkhan Nuriyev called the forum an important event in the socio-political life of Azerbaijan. He said the conference confirms once more that the strategic partnership with the European Union (EU) holds an important place in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan.
â€œStrategic partnership with the European Union is extending. It should be particularly underlined that political dialogue is strengthening, economic and energy cooperation deepening and mutually useful relations are extending,â€ he said.

Jens Paulus, Head of Department Europe/North America of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, spoke about the EUâ€™s role in the South Caucasus, projects implemented there, gave information about the essence of the Eastern Partnership program. Touching on the conflicts in the region Paulus said the European Union should influence the solution to the conflicts.
â€œI think in future the European Union will be involved in this process more strongly,â€ he said.

Elnur Aslanov, Head of Political Analysis and Information Department of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, said participation of the delegations from over 15 countries proves that along with its economic development Azerbaijan has become a center for holding intellectual discussions. Speaking about Azerbaijanâ€™s development Elnur Aslanov expressed his views on Nagorno Karabakh conflict that impedes the security and stability in the region. He said Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijanâ€™s territory.
â€œProtraction of the conflict makes its solution even more difficult,â€ he said.

Polish ambassador to Azerbaijan Michal Labenda said that Poland-Azerbaijan relations developed day-by-day. Speaking about Eastern Partnership, the diplomat called this program as a real indicator of partnership among 6 members.

Mr. JÃ©rÃ´me Pons (EU), Head of Section, Political, Economics, Press and Information, European Union Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan, spoke about purposes of the Eastern Partnership program. The diplomat said that the EU did not mediate in regulation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, it supports OSCE Minsk Groupâ€™s efforts: â€œNevertheless, The European Union has been involved in the process for the purpose of maintenance of confidence between the sides. We try to establish relations by creating long-term dialogue between peopleâ€.

Director of the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation Stepan Grigoryan paid special attention to establishment of confidence between the sides in solution of the conflict. By comparing processes in the South Caucasus countries and Baltic littoral states, he said that Baltic littoral states had their wish, because they have same purposes, but interests of the South Caucasus countries are very different, and that is why, the situation could not stabilize here.

George Khutsishvili is Director of the International Center on Conflict and Negotiation, spoke about the factors which prevent stability and security in the South Caucasus. Touching upon Azerbaijanâ€™s leading role in the region, Khutsishvili called Nagorno Karabakh conflict as main issue and announced that interests of Azerbaijan must be taken into consideration in regulation of this issue.