“The Tbilisi Process initiated by the European Movement International and its National Councils in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia aims at promoting mutual understanding and at building confidence, involving citizens and civil society in an active dialogue in the South Caucasus”, said Diogo Pinto, EMI Secretary General, upon his return from a regional meeting in Tbilisi last week-end.

Mr Pinto continued saying that “a peaceful resolution of the current South Caucasus conflicts is the only way forward and the EMI and its partners aim to create an environment where citizens perceive each other as friends and neighbors rather than as enemies”.

Already at a first meeting in August 2012, creating peace had been defined by all partners as the main priority for their work in favor of the European integration of their countries, leading to an initial text, jointly adopted and later proclaimed as “Tbilisi Declaration”.

EMI President Jo Leinen added that “it was the peaceful settlement of a conflict and in this context the Franco-German reconciliation that led to the establishment of the European Union. European integration is closely linked to the creation of peace and should be the main priority for the South Caucasus”.

The partners have agreed to meet again, in June 2013, in Baku.

Download the final declaration of the 2nd meeting of the Tbilisi Process, please click here
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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 75 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.