Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The Eurointegration International Youth Forum kicked off in Azerbaijan`s capital Baku on December 10.

The event, organized by the Azerbaijani Youth European Integration Organization (AGAT) and supported by Youth Foundation under the Azerbaijani President, brought together youth from various European countries, including Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, England, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, Belgium and Hungary.

Opening the event, AGAT`s chair Gulsel Safarova gave detailed information about the project.

She said the project aimed to highlight the European youth about place and role of Azerbaijan in the process of integration to Europe, to further develop cooperation between Azerbaijani and European youth, to raise awareness of European youth about Azerbaijan`s realities, especially about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and to hold discussions on the country`s energy policy.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Intigam Babayev stressed the significance of the forum.

Babayev said the Azerbaijani state created all favorable condition for youth to participate in social, political processes in the country. The youth comprise one third of the population and they are represented in public and private sectors, he added.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev, in turn , said Azerbaijan was located on the Great Silk Way and enjoyed civilizations of Western and Eastern cultures.

Abdullayev said Azerbaijan was a leader state in the region and its share in the economy of the South Caucasus made over 80 percent. All large-scale projects in the region are implemented with participation and initiation of Azerbaijan.

He said the Azerbaijan`s Foreign Ministry had recently held very productive talks with European structures. Azerbaijan showed a constructive position in those talks.

Azerbaijan and the European Union and EU member countries signed a Joint Declaration establishing a framework for the future cooperation in the field of migration and mobility. The Joint Declaration is the second important document signed this year between Azerbaijan and EU. This is a brilliant example of development dynamics of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, Abdullayev said.

French Ambassador Pascal Meunier said Azerbaijan reached great achievements in economic and cultural fields.

The diplomat pointed out that France supported peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He praised the current level of bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and France, and characterized them as "friendly".

He said the two countries enjoyed relations with deep historical roots.

Romanian ambassador Daniel Christian Ciobanu , in turn informed about important projects implemented by Azerbaijan.

The diplomat said Azerbaijan played a key role in strengthening political and economic ties between Europe and Asia. Reforms carried out under President Ilham Aliyev`s leadership stimulates diversification of economy and reliable development of non-oil sector.

The ambassador hailed political and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Romania. Chiobanu also reminded that his country was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan`s independence.

Later, the participants heard lectures covering subjects of "Azerbaijan`s role in Eastern partnership policy in the European integration process", "Efficiency of activities of Azerbaijani youth in European institutions", "Azerbaijan`s development Prospects in the Euroatlantic space" and "Eastern Partnership".

The Forum will end on December 13.