CONFERENCE of MIGUEL MORATINOS in BEIRUT, on 17 May 2016
Report by Jean-Marie Paintendre, international advisor
On Tuesday 17 May 2016, in Beirut, Miguel Moratinos, former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of IPEMED Political Steering Committee, hold a conference on the theme:
“What challenges is Europe facing due to the crisis in the region?”
The conference took place on the day of the 100th anniversary of the Sykes-Picot Agreements. Miguel Moratinos highlighted the importance of the French initiative to reopen negotiations to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This initiative should quickly reach a European dimension and involve great powers.
Only perspectives of peace will enable to fight terrorism and encourage the economic development of the region.
Arab countries must not be fatalistic; among them, Lebanon has repeatedly shown its resilience and its capacity to face adverse parties.
This conference was hold at ESA - Beirut Ecole Supérieure des Affaires. As a partner of ESA, IPEMED organised this conference with the Spanish Embassy.
Eric Diamantis, Vice President, and Jean-Marie Paintendre, International Advisor, represented IPEMED.
The participants included IPEMED Lebanese founding members such as Fouad Makhzoumi and Khater Abi-Habib, leading figures close to IPEMED like Georges Corm and Fadi Comair, former Lebanese ministers, ambassadors in Beirut, and many representatives of institutions and of the civil society.
This conference ended a day during which IPEMED members met with the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Economy and Culture.