ArmInfo.Prolonged conflicts remain a fundamental challenge in the European Partnership region, President of the European Council Charles Michel stated in his video message at the 13th Annual Assembly of the European Partnership Civil Society Forum.
They require renewed efforts in line with the principles and norms of international law. The EU stands ready to play its role to help prevent and resolve conflict. This includes building confidence and contributing to lasting and comprehensive settlements - including support for post-conflict rehabilitation measures, he said.
"The relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan show the fragility of the situation. I am totally convinced that only political dialogue can lead to a sustainable settlement. It will also require civil society in Armenia and Azerbaijan to come together, to build bridges and to help in reconciliation efforts," Mr Michel said. The 13th Annual Assembly "Road to recovery: fostering reform and resilience for a stronger Eastern Partnership" will be held online from 30 November to 2 December 2021, bringing together more than 300 CSOs and EaP and EU decision-makers to discuss the last steps and challenges ahead of the 6th Eastern Partnership Summit (15-16 December 2021), as well as the ambitions and policy objectives set out in the new policy documents.
The road to successful recovery from the several unprecedented crises that have continued to grip the region in the course of 2021 has to be just, inclusive and in line with the core values that are at the basis of the Eastern Partnership. Building on messages from civil society voiced in the run-up to the EaP Summit, the debate on how best to put into practice the new EaP agenda, new single financial instrument 'Global Europe - NDICI' and new EaP architecture, in order to foster reform and resilience, will focus on security challenges, accountability as well as meaningful civil society involvement.
The 2021 Annual Assembly will also conclude the work of the delegates of the first two-year cycle of the Forum's history and take stock of the fitness of the EaP CSF WGs for the new EaP policy and updated multilateral architecture. The event will also provide a space to discuss the Forum's draft Strategy for 2022- 2030 and prepare the ground for its validation and adoption, reports the official website of the the European Partnership Civil Society Forum.