Participation of the PABSEC in the Regional Growth Conference 2021, 3-5 June 2021
The PABSEC Secretary General Mr. Asaf Hajiyev participated in the Regional Growth Conference 2021 organised by the authorities of the Region of Western Greece on 3-5 June 2021.
The Region Growth Conference is held already for eight years as a platform for public dialogue. The annual meetings bring together governmental, regional, academic and business representatives with the aim to highlight governance practices and policies promoted by European Institutions that need to be implemented in order to achieve an innovative regional governance model for Greece. The Conference is attended by the representatives of the Greek Government and of other European Regions, representatives from the European Commission, International Organizations, Local and Regional Administrations, Business Executives and Media representatives.
The 35 sessions during 3 days covered the following issues: European strategy and development goals, responsibilities of local authorities, covid recovery perspectives, regional governance and growth, financial policy challenges in the post-Covid era, sustainable funding and investments, foreign direct investment, digital transformation, intelligent municipalities, and other important issues.
The PABSEC Secretary General addressed the Session 12 “Regional Policy and Infrastructure / Transport”. Mr. Hajiyev stressed the major role of cooperation in the field of transportation for the states of the wider Black Sea region since the BSEC region is located at the crossroads of the main world transportation routes like Silk Road from East to West and Viking Road from North to South. At the same time, Black Sea region serves as a bridge between Asia and Europe and cooperation between these two continents can bring effective development for the whole world. It was noted that transportation is a very broad sphere also implying energy transportation and to this end the role of the Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans Anatolian (TANAP) and Trans Adriatic (TAP) gas pipelines, was emphasized. Mr. Hajiyev also spoke about the importance of political stability in the region and the role of the parliaments in improving the legislative framework. He also stressed that in the aftermath of the Pandemic, the economic, political, social, and environmental interests are increasingly viewed from a broader perspective and it is important to mobilise mutual support for strengthening cooperation and partnership in the region.