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High-level forum to discuss Eurasia’s energy future
Many important figures will be participating in this year’s event to discuss a wide array of topics including future policies regarding primarily energy resources, Eurasia’s integration into the world economy, the complex political map of the region and its sub-regions, the impact of the global financial crisis on the region’s energy sectors and creating investment models for energy.
The event, conducted by the Atlantic Council, is also supported by the Turkish ministry for economy and the Office of the Prime Minister. It aims to contribute to discussions concerning best policy solutions to help the Black Sea area emerge as a solid bridge for economic cooperation, investment and trade in the region and in the world.
The forum was promoted by former US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson, in İstanbul on Monday. Wilson commented that the decision to convene the meeting in Turkey reflects the country’s rising prominence in the region.
Wilson explained the forum’s primary aim is to develop best policy solutions to help the region become a center for economic cooperation, investment and trade. Economic integration of the region into the rest of the world should be more urgently assessed than the political integration within the region, noted Wilson. He said that if the ways to earn money are facilitated for business leaders in Eurasia, and particularly the countries within the Black Sea basin, this will pave the way for a smooth transition to economic integration. This target may be reached through the operations of high-level organizations like the intergovernmental body of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Council (BSECC) at the macro level, or through lower-level organizations as seen in pipeline projects to carry the Caspian region’s hydrocarbon resources to international markets.
High-ranking representatives from 30 countries will be attending the event which is being held for a second time. The first gathering was last year in Bucharest, Romania.
The İstanbul meeting will be co-chaired by the Atlantic Council chairman, Senator Chuck Hagel and the chairman of DP Holding SA and International Advisory Board member, Dinu Patriciu.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be delivering the opening remarks. Economy Minister Ali Babacan, Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız and State Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bağış will also be present to represent the Turkish government and exchange thoughts with participants.
Prime ministers and ministers from a number of countries will be lending their ideas and opinions at deliberations during the event. Some outstanding figures to join the discussion sessions, among many others will be the former US national security advisor and outgoing American Turkish Council (ATC) Chairman Brent Scowcroft, National Security Advisor to US President Jimmy Carter Zbigniew Brzezinski, Sabancı Holding Chairwoman Güler Sabancı, Eni Chief Executive Officer Paolo Scaroni, Çalık Holding Chairman Ahmet Çalık, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and the Edison SpA CEO Umberto Quadrino.
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