President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attend Crans Montana Forum in Baku - UPDATE - PHOTOS

The Crans Montana Forum today kicked off in Baku.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the official opening of Crans Montana Forum.

The 23rd yearly session of Crans Montana Forum brought together the heads of states, including Georgia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, prime-ministers, ministers, public figures, intellectuals, parliamentarians and business officials.

The key goal of the Forum is to encourage the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which is to be held in 2013 and the Baku Process on Intercultural Dialogue as well as popularize Azerbaijan as a center of this dialogue.

The Crans Montana Forum is a Swiss International Organization created in Crans Montana (Switzerland) in 1986 with the support and the involvement of Swiss authorities whose importance and prestige are well-established. It is formally recognized notably for its purpose to contribute to the construction of a more Humane World: "Committed to a more Humane World".

The Forum closely cooperates with the UN, the European Union, the Council of Europe, as well as UNESCO, ISESCO and other international organizations.

The Crans Montana Forum works for the promotion of international cooperation and contributes to global growth while ensuring a high level of stability, equity and security. The aim is also to foster the best practices and ensure a global dialogue.

Azerbaijan actively takes part at the Crans Montana Forum. President Aliyev has been conferred with Prix De La award, while the First Lady received the Forum's Gold Medal, in Brussels, in 2011.

Azerbaijani President and First Lady met with the heads of states participating at the Forum and officials of numerous countries attending the event.

The event was opened by Founder and Executive Chairman of the Crans Montana Forum Jean-Paul Carteron.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the Forum participants.

As stated, the event is dedicated to the state and private management issues in energy policy sphere. The participants will discuss fighting poverty and improving the management of public affairs, energy security of the Eastern Europe, implementing a regional transportation strategy, the impact of regional conflicts on energy policies, energy security and investment in Azerbaijan, cyber-security and globalization, current challenges and prospects for OIC member states on energy issues at the plenary sessions today.

The Forum was also addressed by President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Macedonia George Ivanov, President of Montenegro Filip Vujanovi?, Prince of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, the Iraqi Premier’s aide, the Chairperson of the Estonian Parliament Ms. Ene Ergma, heads and members of governments of several countries.

Then, discussions were held.

After official opening ceremony, on behalf of the Azerbaijani President and the First Lady a dinner was arranged in honor of the Crans Montana Forum participants.

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13:41

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have today participated in the official opening of Crans Montana Forum here.

The 23rd Crans Montana Forum brought together the heads of state of four countries, prime-ministers, ministers and other government officials.

The main aim of the forum is to encourage the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which is to be held in 2013 and the Baku Process on Intercultural Dialogue as well as popularize Azerbaijan as a center of this dialogue.

The forum as an international organization was founded in 1986 with the support of Swiss officials. The main goal of the organization is to promote the international cooperation and dialogue.

The event was opened by Founder and Executive Chairman of the Crans Montana Forum Jean-Paul Carteron. The Head of State made a speech at the Forum.
/AzerTAc/