Rome hosts workshop on South Caucasus-EU relations
Rome has hosted a workshop titled "European Union and Southern Caucasus: Future of the Eastern Partnership".
The workshop was co-organized by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), an Italian think tank, and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rome, AzerTag state news agency reported.
Opening the event, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali Ettore Greco stressed the strategic importance of the Southern Caucasus in the region.
Moderator, leading researcher at the Istituto Affari Internazionali Nona Mikhelidze informed the attendees on the agenda of the workshop, as well as topics to be discussed.
Touching upon the relations between the Southern Caucasian countries and European Union, she hailed Azerbaijan`s efforts towards integration into Europe.
Policy analyst at European Policy Centre in Belgium Amanda Paul said Europe attached great importance to the Southern Caucasus.
She underlined the development of relations with Azerbaijan was on the agenda of Europe.
"Azerbaijan is a key country in the European energy security," she noted.
Addressing the workshop, analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs Konrad Zasztowt spoke of the work done in the Southern Caucasian countries towards European integration.
Touching upon ongoing social reforms in Azerbaijan, the analyst stressed the activity of ASAN service.
Speaking to the event, Deputy Director of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan (SAM) Gulshan Pashayeva stressed the importance of the Eastern Partnership in terms of European integration of the Southern Caucasian countries.
Analyzing the current foreign policy of participating countries of the Eastern Partnership Program, Pashayeva said "Azerbaijan conducts balanced policy, and tries to set up good relations with both the West and Russia."
Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Deputy Director said Azerbaijan`s territories had been kept under occupation by Armenia.
She informed the attendees on the negotiation process and positions of the OSCE Minsk group and various international organizations regarding the dispute.
Head of the Europe-Central Asia Monitoring (EUCAM) Program Jos Boonstra analyzed the current situation of the EU-Eastern Partnership and future plans of the organization regarding the Southern Caucasian countries.