Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

ADA University began to hold a new long-term series of events called "Baku dialogues" from June 11.

The first "Davos-style" open discussion entitled "China's geostrategy in Eurasia" was held with the participation of the Dean of the International Studies School at Peking University Wang Jisi, who was listed as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers by the "Foreign Policy" magazine in 2012.

Addressing the event, the Rector of the ADA University, Deputy Foreign Minster Hafiz Pashayev spoke of the importance of the project.

"The objective of the Baku Dialogues is to make Baku known as a high-level center of discussion, exchange of information and research, and a meeting place for ideas, concepts and opinions on major world issues," he said.

Pashayev also added that the Dialogues are also intended to stimulate academic research on the subjects discussed, and to produce materials which will be useful to academic researchers around the world. For these reasons, the Baku Dialogues will be reproduced in an on-line ADA Quarterly (initially bi-annual) publication called "Baku Dialogues".

The project may also led to holding subsidiary meetings and discussion sessions in other world capitals and centers of reflection, as the concept becomes more broadly known.

Speaking at the event, Wang Jisi provided an insight into the Chinese economy and geostrategic position in Eurasia. He noted that China has developed significantly in economic terms and the country was interested in expanding bilateral ties with Azerbaijan.

Jisi also recalled a meeting of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of China Xi Jinping in Shanghai on the sidelines of the 4th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The Baku Dialogues is an overall concept covering a range of discussion events to be held over time. The concept is to arrange presentations on key world issues by leading world personalities, followed by direct "Davos-style" open discussions among relevant academics and other actors, on central world issues, for academic examination.

Founded by the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry and chartered by a Presidential decree, ADA University is dedicated to preparing innovative global leaders and promoting useful collaborative research on diplomacy, public and international affairs, business, humanities and sciences, information technologies, and system engineering.