The PABSEC Participation in the 5th Edition of the Workshop for Young Diplomats from the BSEC Member States on “Developing Cultural Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region”, Thessaloniki (Hellenic Republic), 21-24 March 2022
Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the 5th Edition of the Workshop for Young Diplomats from the BSEC Member States on “Developing Cultural Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region”, organized by the BSEC Permanent International Secretariat (BSEC PERMIS) together with the Turkish Bureau of the “Konrad Adenauer Stiftung” Foundation (KAS) in Thessaloniki, on 21-24 March 2022.
The purpose of the Workshop was to familiarize young diplomats from the BSEC Member States with the problems of the Wider Black Sea Region. The Workshop was attended by the representatives of the BSEC Organization and BSEC-related bodies, as well as other personalities from the region and beyond.
At the opening, the participants were addressed by Mr. Walter Glos, Director of the Turkish Bureau of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, by Ambassador Lazar Comanescu, Secretary General of the BSEC PERMIS, and by Mrs. Maria Karajani, Deputy Mayor of Thessaloniki.
The Workshop was organised in four sessions: Session-1: “Council of Europe, UNESCO and European Commission’s Approach Towards Cultural Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region”, Session-2: “The Regional Approach in Promoting Cultural Diplomacy in the Wider Black Sea Region – the Role of the BSEC Organization”, Session-3: “The National Approach Towards Cultural Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region”, Session-4: “Gastronomy as part of the Cultural Diplomacy Development”.
Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, in his presentation at Session 2, spoke about the PABSEC structure and main areas of activity. He also drew the attention of young diplomats to the significant economic advantages of the region, underlining that the main wealth of the Black Sea region is its human capital and cultural diversity. It was emphasized that the PABSEC is ready to strengthen its role in enhancing parliamentary diplomacy to achieve peace, security, and prosperity in the Black Sea region.
The PABSEC Secretary General visited the headquarters of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, which is located in Thessaloniki, and met with Mr. Dmitry Pankin, President of the Bank. An exchange of information on the current activities of the PABSEC and the BSTDB took place. Mr. Pankin invited the PABSEC Secretary General to the upcoming 24th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the BSTDB to be held in Baku on 23 June 2022.
The PABSEC Secretary General also met with Mr. Walter Glos, Director of the Turkish Bureau of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. An exchange of views took place on the activities of the PABSEC and the Foundation. Mr. Glos invited the PABSEC Secretary General to an event on “Prospects for Cooperation between Central Asia and Turkey”, which will be held in Ankara, on 16 May 2022.