The European Network of Places of Peace (ENPP) was present at the 1st Edition of the “Peace4Culture Partners Forum” which took place on December 2nd at the University of Baku, in the capital of Azerbaijan, at the initiative of the Minister of Culture of that country, Mr .Anar Karimov. The ENPP representation was in charge of its President of the Board, Eduardo Basso, who presented a paper entitled “European Network of Places of Peace – An example of multilateral cooperation in Europe” during the 3rd Forum Plenary Session entitled “The Peace and Security Challenges: building multilateral cooperation“.

The Forum’s inaugural session was attended by, among others, Mr. Hikmat Hajiyev, International Policy Advisor to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr.  Anar Karimov, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan and Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative of the Nations United for the Alliance of Civilizations.
At one of the breaks in the sessions, guest speakers and moderators were welcomed by the Head of the Organization of Muslims of the Caucasus, Grand Mufti Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade.

On the second day of presence in Azerbaijan, the ENPP representative joined a group of speakers and moderators on a visit to the city of Shusha, considered the Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan and which was occupied by Armenia from 1992 until 8 November 2020, when was released by action of the Azerbaijani Army. On this visit, it was possible to observe the degree of destruction caused by the War between the two countries and the Armenian occupation, but also the gigantic effort that the Government of Azerbaijan has already made and continues to make to recover the Historical and Architectural Heritage of the city of Shusha.

With the accomplishment of the 1st “Peace4Culture Partners Forum“, the Government of Azerbaijan kicked off a broader initiative, the “Peace4Culture Call“, which will implement other projects under the general theme “Peace4Culture” to be launched soon.

In the Photo: An aspect of the Closing Session of Peace4Culture Partners Forum with Mr. Anar Karimov, Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan