18th Eurasian Economic Summit ends, TANAP, Silk Road discussed

ISTANBUL

DHA Photo

After nine different meetings in three days, the 18th Economic Summit ended on April 9. 

In addition to the economy, energy and information technologies, special sessions on economy-democracy relations and the state of humanity and where humanity is heading were conducted. 

The 18th Eurasian Economic Summit saw the participation of 44 countries, with Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina represented at the presidential level. Azerbaijan was represented by its vice-president. 

The summit’s closing session was attended by 24 leaders, including the 11th President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül, and the current state of humanity and where humanity is heading was discussed.
Impressing the importance of dialogue within the summit, the participants insistently and carefully pointed out the significance of stability, universal qualities of peace and the United Nations Millennium convocations. 
The summit’s participants emphasized that disputes could be solved with the use of dialogue, while they also discussed not interfering in domestic affairs. 

The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) was discussed, with speakers noting its importance within the field of energy and the crucial role the 1800-kilometer pipeline would play in realizing other projects. Stressing the protection of flora, fauna and potential archaeological areas the pipeline will pass through, speakers suggested the pipeline should be evaluated as a stability and democracy project in addition
to an energy one. They also expressed that TANAP will prevent energy from being used as a weapon.

The speakers also hailed the importance of the Silk Road project, remarking that today’s energy lines were replacing the simple clothing trade conducted by caravans years ago, and that information technologies have created a peaceful philosophy reaching out from Beijing and China. 

In addition to its significance in energy and telecommunications, speakers discussed the Silk Road project’s cultural and social dimension as a stability and prosperity project. 

The summit also had a cultural dimension, with a fashion show featuring famous designer Nej and a horse racing competition organized by the Jockey Club of Turkey called the Eurasian Economic Summit Cup Race. Montenegro President Filip Vujanovic presented an award to the owner of the winning horse.
 
Postage stamps in commemoration of the summit were printed by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Transportation and distributed to the summit’s participants.