The First Azerbaijan–EU Think Tanks Forum, entitled “Azerbaijan and the European Union: New Perspectives”, was held in Brussels on October 27. The event was co-organized by the Centre of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) of Azerbaijan and the Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations of Belgium.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Bernard Siman, Senior Associate Fellow at the Egmont Institute, emphasized the crucial role of think tanks in generating new ideas, developing strategic approaches and forecasting future trends.
Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center, noted that visits by the heads of European institutions to Azerbaijan this year reflected a mutual interest in strengthening the partnership. He said these visits could be viewed as the beginning of a new phase in Azerbaijan–European Union relations.
Touching upon the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Farid Shafiyev highlighted the progress achieved following the Washington summit, while emphasizing the need to remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan from Armenia’s Constitution.
He underlined that the peace agreement expected to be signed should not contradict constitutional provisions containing such claims, highlighting the importance of Europe’s historical experience in identifying potential solutions.
Farid Shafiyev noted that direct contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia were more effective than processes involving third parties. He urged European politicians to distinguish between those contributing to the peace process and those hindering it, stressing that Azerbaijan remained committed to its policy of promoting peace.
The forum continued with panel sessions.
The event brought together experts from think tanks in Azerbaijan and Belgium, as well as Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria, Romania, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden.
