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South Caucasus Forum in Baku ends

08 May 2013 16:48 (UTC +04:00)

Baku – APA. The South Caucasus Forum organized by Nizami Ganjavi International Center and Club de Madrid with the support of Azerbaijan State Committee on Work with Diaspora has ended. The Committee told APA that chairing the closing session of the international forum, director of the Library of Alexandria, co-chair of Nizami Ganjavi International Center Ismail Serageldin said that the forum was interesting and useful discussions were held. He said that the first South Caucasus Forum will make significant contributions to strengthening the women’s role, protecting ethnic and religious minorities and developing joint communities.

Noting the importance of establishing joint communities, former Prime Minister of Canada, member of Club de Madrid Kim Campbell stressed that there is a need for a system recognizing and respecting the institutional rights of everyone. Mentioning the Azerbaijani President’s statement that ethnic and religious diversity are the greatest resources of our country, Kim Campbell noted women in our Republic were granted suffrage in 1918.

Former President of Latvia, member of Club de Madrid Valdis Birkavs stated that joint communities are important not only for small countries, but also for large countries.

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Club de Madrid vice-president Jenny Shipley highly estimated the initiative of Nizami Ganjavi International Center on the South Caucasus Forum or discussing important regional issues.

Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Nazim Ibrahimov said Azerbaijan is proud of hosting this great event of the Club de Madrid, the biggest Forum of former heads of state and government. Ibrahimov underlined that Azerbaijan did significant work in the sphere of women's rights, human rights, formation of democratic state, noted that Azerbaijan was the first country in the Muslim east to grant women's suffrage.

On the last day of the South Caucasus Forum, protocol on cooperation was signed between the Club de Madrid and Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

The South Caucasus Forum came to an end.