Meetings between representatives of civil societies of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the conflict region of Nagorno Karabakh were held in Marienhamn on Åland Islands from 1 till 4 June, 2010 with the support of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Within the framework of these meetings, the participants familiarized themselves with the experience of state structure building on Aland Islands, administration problems, as well as with an unprecedented example of archipelago Euro-integration.
Meetings were held at the Parliament (Lagting), government and administration of Åland, with the representatives of law enforcement bodies and border services, who provided detailed information about their work and relations with the authorities of Finland and local population.
Representatives of civil society took part in the debates devoted to the theory and practice of conflict resolution. In the course of discussions the participants considered possible perspectives of peace resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. An emphasis was laid on the problems of democratization of societies, adoption of European values, and economic development of the region, security and enhancement of confidence between the parties.
The participants of the discussions highly appreciated the constructive nature of the meetings of this kind and voiced their confidence in the necessity of further accumulation of the world experience on the subject within the framework of the Independent Civil Minsk Process. They stressed a role of civil society in the continuation of the dialogue for peace and harmonious development of the region.
An official address from the participants can be found here.
