Newsroom
Conference looks at regional approach for resolving conflicts in Caucasus
YEREVAN 28 September 2000
YEREVAN, 28 September 2000 - An international conference with the theme "Prospects for Regional and Transregional Co-operation and the Resolution of Conflicts" was held in Yerevan, 27-28 September, 2000. The event was sponsored by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and organized by the Armenian Centre for National and International Studies.
Those attending the conference included high level academic and governmental representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Turkey (former Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen), Belgium, United Kingdom and the United States. A representative of NATO attended, as did members of all diplomatic missions in Yerevan. Several OSCE Heads of Missions also attended.
Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, Ambassador Marton Krasznai, spoke of the future role of the OSCE in resolving conflicts and fostering co-operation in the Caucasus Region. The conference also looked at economic and political arguments in favour of increased co-operation and the obstacles preventing it.
Professor Michael Kaser of Oxford University presented a study of the potential for enhanced economic co-operation among Caucasian states and with the broader region. Ukrainian, Iranian and Turkish speakers looked at the political limitations to enhancing co-operation and made proposals to resolve them, while Professor Emerson summarized his updated study on a Stability Pact for the Caucasus.
The 20 contributions generated lively debate among the participants and audience. All agreed that the conference had broken new ground through its wide participation, and plans are under way for further meetings - but not, initially, in Yerevan. Policy makers were given new food for thought and were grateful for the opportunity provided by the Conference to exchange ideas with such a wide range of specialists.
Those attending the conference included high level academic and governmental representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Turkey (former Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen), Belgium, United Kingdom and the United States. A representative of NATO attended, as did members of all diplomatic missions in Yerevan. Several OSCE Heads of Missions also attended.
Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, Ambassador Marton Krasznai, spoke of the future role of the OSCE in resolving conflicts and fostering co-operation in the Caucasus Region. The conference also looked at economic and political arguments in favour of increased co-operation and the obstacles preventing it.
Professor Michael Kaser of Oxford University presented a study of the potential for enhanced economic co-operation among Caucasian states and with the broader region. Ukrainian, Iranian and Turkish speakers looked at the political limitations to enhancing co-operation and made proposals to resolve them, while Professor Emerson summarized his updated study on a Stability Pact for the Caucasus.
The 20 contributions generated lively debate among the participants and audience. All agreed that the conference had broken new ground through its wide participation, and plans are under way for further meetings - but not, initially, in Yerevan. Policy makers were given new food for thought and were grateful for the opportunity provided by the Conference to exchange ideas with such a wide range of specialists.