Event time: 10/26/2023 8:30 am - 10/26/2023 8:15 pm
Timezone: Bucharest Time
Short description: International Conference
“Rethinking the EU-MENA Cooperation. A Resilient Approach” is an event organized by the Bucharest-based think-tank MEPEI (Middle East Political and Economic Institute) and EuroDefense Romania.
The event is organized in partnership with IPIS (Institute for Political and International Studies IPIS/MoFA, Iran), IFIMES (International Institute for the Middle East and Balkan Studies), the Belt and Road Initiative Research Lab, Romania and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest. The media partners are Modern Diplomacy (https://moderndiplomacy.eu/), Financial Intelligence (https://financialintelligence.ro/) and Novus Ordo Media (https://novusordomedia.ro/).
The event brings together the representatives of the Romanian institutions, think-thank representatives, mass media, and the diplomatic corps (international and national).
The Conference is held during a turning point in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) politics. In October 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict heated, having the potential to disrupt the entire security architecture and global realities. The traditional features of the EU-MENA policy seek to encourage political and economic reform in each individual country in due respect for its specific features (European Neighborhood Policy) and regional cooperation among the countries of the region themselves and with the EU (European Union), Union for the Mediterranean. Yet, the classical approach is not convincing in practice and the EU must face the rise of the presence of global powers in the MENA. During the discussions to be generated by the conference, one would deepen the knowledge on the extended Middle East security and regarding both challenges and opportunities driven by a different manner of integrating the EU-MENA dialogue. Considering the conflicts in the two regions, it seems EU-MENA share common international values and rules in practice, while the United States of America, Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China are competing for either maintaining or expanding global influence.
On the other hand, some United Nations Security Council members like the United Kingdom and France are striving to influence world affairs. Furthermore, the EU is aiming to develop relations with its neighbors and Asian economic powerhouses are preparing themselves to play a major role on the international stage.
In the context of competing exogenous interests, traditional divisions and new tendencies mark MENA region’s development simultaneously. Both the American push for Abraham Accords, an initiative that does not appear to emanate from regional political culture at first sight, and the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran have to deliver for the region. The future of Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) and its impact on the stability of the region needs to be explored. The Conference notes the dangerous potential for escalation into a regional turmoil, in context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the international implications.
Many MENA countries are striving to build resilience in an imminent post-oil economic era, in which value creation and recognition may become less dependent on the USD system. The general tendency towards large-scale inflation, historically, specific to pre-war periods generally leads to uncertain outcomes, adding further pressure on emerging economies. However, short and middle term plans like revitalization of the JCPOA and efforts to end the Syrian conflict, among others, seed hopes for a better future in the region.
The Conference dwells on different approaches for collaboration, while focusing on cooperation that would help overcome conflicts, such as conflict resolution, migration management, economic resilience, and private investment. At the same time, it provides with the opportunity to be up to date with the research of practitioners and diplomats working on the ground, including the youth generation.
“Rethinking the EU-MENA Cooperation. A Resilient Approach” is an event organized by the Bucharest-based think-tank MEPEI (Middle East Political and Economic Institute) and EuroDefense Romania.
The event is organized in partnership with IPIS (Institute for Political and International Studies IPIS/MoFA, Iran), IFIMES (International Institute for the Middle East and Balkan Studies), the Belt and Road Initiative Research Lab, Romania and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest. The media partners are Modern Diplomacy (https://moderndiplomacy.eu/), Financial Intelligence (https://financialintelligence.ro/) and Novus Ordo Media (https://novusordomedia.ro/).
The event brings together the representatives of the Romanian institutions, think-thank representatives, mass media, and the diplomatic corps (international and national).
The Conference is held during a turning point in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) politics. In October 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict heated, having the potential to disrupt the entire security architecture and global realities. The traditional features of the EU-MENA policy seek to encourage political and economic reform in each individual country in due respect for its specific features (European Neighborhood Policy) and regional cooperation among the countries of the region themselves and with the EU (European Union), Union for the Mediterranean. Yet, the classical approach is not convincing in practice and the EU must face the rise of the presence of global powers in the MENA. During the discussions to be generated by the conference, one would deepen the knowledge on the extended Middle East security and regarding both challenges and opportunities driven by a different manner of integrating the EU-MENA dialogue. Considering the conflicts in the two regions, it seems EU-MENA share common international values and rules in practice, while the United States of America, Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China are competing for either maintaining or expanding global influence.
On the other hand, some United Nations Security Council members like the United Kingdom and France are striving to influence world affairs. Furthermore, the EU is aiming to develop relations with its neighbors and Asian economic powerhouses are preparing themselves to play a major role on the international stage.
In the context of competing exogenous interests, traditional divisions and new tendencies mark MENA region’s development simultaneously. Both the American push for Abraham Accords, an initiative that does not appear to emanate from regional political culture at first sight, and the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran have to deliver for the region. The future of Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) and its impact on the stability of the region needs to be explored. The Conference notes the dangerous potential for escalation into a regional turmoil, in context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the international implications.
Many MENA countries are striving to build resilience in an imminent post-oil economic era, in which value creation and recognition may become less dependent on the USD system. The general tendency towards large-scale inflation, historically, specific to pre-war periods generally leads to uncertain outcomes, adding further pressure on emerging economies. However, short and middle term plans like revitalization of the JCPOA and efforts to end the Syrian conflict, among others, seed hopes for a better future in the region.
The Conference dwells on different approaches for collaboration, while focusing on cooperation that would help overcome conflicts, such as conflict resolution, migration management, economic resilience, and private investment. At the same time, it provides with the opportunity to be up to date with the research of practitioners and diplomats working on the ground, including the youth generation.
| 08:30 – 09:30 | Registration and Welcome Coffee |
| 09:30 – 09:50 | Official Opening |
| Mr. Flavius CABA-MARIA, President, MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania
H.E. Dr. Muhammad Hassan Shaykh al-ISLAMI, President of Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran – online/pre-recorded H.E. Dr. Seyed Hossein SADAT MEIDANI, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Romania Dr. Liviu MUREŞAN, President, EuroDefense Romania |
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| 09:50 – 10:30 | Keynote Speakers |
| Moderator: Dr. Liviu MUREŞAN, President, EuroDefense Romania
Prof. Adrian SEVERIN, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Former President of the Parliament Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romania Dr. Khalil SHIRGHOLAMI, Vice President, IPIS, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran H.E. Dr. Mustafa IMAD, Dean, Diplomatic Institute of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Former Ambassador to USA and China, Damascus, The Syrian Arab Republic – online |
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| 10:30 – 12:15 | Session I: The New Middle East Security Architecture |
| This session addresses the manner in which external powers shape the future of the region, while the regional actors seek a more sustainable equilibrium, including revisiting former policies and strategies.
Subtopics: The Middle East security architecture after the Ukrainian war; the effects of increased Iranian-Saudi cooperation on regional security, notably Persian Gulf security; the role of China in the Middle East; forging new alliances; the regional escalation in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the future of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Moderator: Mr. Flavius CABA-MARIA, President, MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania Prof. Kayhan BARZEGAR, Senior Academic Advisor at MoFA, Professor at the Islamic Azad University / Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Prof. Abdulreda Ali ASSIRI, Professor, University of Kuwait, State of Kuwait Prof. Huseyin BAGCI, President, Foreign Policy Institute, Ankara, the Republic of Türkiye Dr. Alexey KLEBNIKOV, Expert on Middle East Issue, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), the Russian Federation – online Dr. LI Zixin, Assistant Research Fellow, Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), Beijing, the People’s Republic of China Dr. Adnan TABATABAI, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient, Bonn, Germany Prof. Zafar Nawaz JASPAL, Director, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Rapporteurs: Dr. Alexandru GEORGESCU, Scientific Researcher, ICI Bucharest and Secretary General, EuroDefense Romania Mr. Robert JIPA, Intern, MEPEI/Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania |
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| 12:15 – 12:45 | Coffee Break |
| 12:45 – 14:30 | Session II: Gaza Strip – Latest Developments and Impact on the Region |
| This session addresses the latest developments in the critical situation of the Gaza Strip. The issue of Palestine and ongoing conflict including 7 October afterwards and the continued occupations and target of civilians, including the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on 17 October have unfortunately heightened the tensions across the region.
Subtopics: The Middle East security architecture in this specific context; the root-cause, the impact on the relations between the great powers; the humanitarian impact; an IDP and refugees’ crisis; warfare in the age of artificial intelligence Moderator: Prof. Adrian SEVERIN, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Former President of the Parliament Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romania Dr. Khalil SHIRGHOLAMI, Vice President, IPIS, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Basam ABOABDOLAH, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Central School of the Ba’ath Party, Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic Dr. Amina KHAN, Director Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa, the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI), Islamabad, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – online Prof. Ecaterina MAȚOI, Program Director, MEPEI, Romania, and Lecturer, the Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Department of Basel University, Switzerland Dr. Abdul Halim FADLALLAH, Chairman, the Consultative Center for Studies and Documentation, Beirut, the Lebanese Republic – online Prof. Fereydoon JAFARI, Researcher, Consultant, Attorney at Law, Arbitrator Founder & Vice President (Scientific Association of ICL), Head of SEI Iranian Branch, Law Department, Humanities Faculty, Bu Ali Sina University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Rapporteurs: Dr. Liviu MUREŞAN, President, EuroDefense Romania Mrs. Iulia-Mihaela DRĂGAN, Ph.D. Student, Bucharest, Romania |
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| 14:30 – 15:30 | Lunch offered by The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest |
| 15:30 – 17:00 | Session III: Rethinking the Perspective of EU and MENA Cooperation. Challenges and Opportunities |
| The panel proposes new avenues of cooperation in the current regional climate, focusing on the energy components and interest for mutual investments.
Subtopics: Corridor diplomacy; the energy, oil and gas diplomacy; mutual investments and funds. Moderator: Mr. Iulian MAREȘ, Strategic Analyst, MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania Prof. Nourhan El-SHEIKH, Cairo University and Nasser Higher Military Academy, Member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt H.E. Dr. Alibeman Eghbali ZARCH, Director Eurasia Studies, IPIS, Former Ambassador to Albania, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran Prof. László CSICSMANN, Director, Institute for International Studies, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary Prof. Laura SAYAH, Researcher, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Beirut/Doha, the Republic of Lebanon/State of Qatar – online Dr. Nicola PEDDE, Director of IGS (Institute for Global Studies), Rome, Italy Mrs. Dr. Masoumeh Saif AFJEHI, Manager of Human Rights and Women’s Studies Department, IPIS, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Rapporteurs: Prof. Ecaterina MAȚOI, Program Director, MEPEI, Romania, and Lecturer, the Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Department of Basel University, Switzerland Mrs. Teodora TĂNASE, Intern, MEPEI, Romania |
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| 17:00 – 17:30 | Coffee Break |
| 17:30 – 18:45 | Session IV: Asia’s Century Project: the Asianization in the Changing New World Order |
| The Discussions Bring About the Increasing Role of Asia in the Global Arena, With the Focus on its Imprint in The Middle East, Trying to Grasp Local Specificities.
Subtopics: The Prospects of Asian Cooperation in The Middle East; BRICS Summit; Iran and Possible Other Members to SCO; Transactions in Asian Currencies. Moderator: Dr. Marcela GANEA, Researcher, BRIRL (Belt and Road Initiative Research Lab), Romania Prof. Ruhanas HARUN, National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Prof. Davood KIANI, Islamic Azad University, Vice President at the Institute of Iran and Eurasia Studies (IRAS), Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Prof. Henri DOU, Expert with the French-Chinese Association of Economic Intelligence, Associate Professor with the Pasquale Paoli University in Corsica, Marseille, France Dr. YAO Jinxiang, Assistant Research Fellow, Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), Beijing, The People’s Republic of China Rapporteurs: Mrs. Monica SURUGIU, Vice President, MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania Mrs. Ancuța DOCE, Ph.D. Candidate, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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| 18:45 – 20:00 | Session V: The Voice of the Young Generation on EU-MENA Cooperation |
| As the MENA region abounds in the young human resource, it is vital to encompass its voice in the EU-MENA dialogue in order to open more avenues for collaboration.
Subtopics: The think-tank cooperation; social networks role; youth entrepreneurship. Moderator: Dr. Alexandru GEORGESCU, Scientific Researcher, ICI Bucharest and Secretary General, EuroDefense Romania Mr. Soroush MOHAMMADHOSSEIN, Ph.D. Student, Researcher in International Relations and Multilateral Diplomacy, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Mrs. Isabella ZAIDAN, Member of the Scientific Research Council, Al-Sham Private University, National Union of Syrian Students, Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic Mr. Ahmed MUSTAFA, Student, Politics and International Relations, Royal Holloway University of London, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/the United Kingdom – online Mrs. Amal TAHIRI, Student, The Hague University of Applied Science, The Netherlands – online Mrs. Iulia-Mihaela DRĂGAN, Ph.D. Student, Bucharest, Romania Mr. Benedikt ERTL, Student, Regensburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany Mrs. Ancuța DOCE, Ph.D. Candidate, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Rapporteurs: Mrs. Andra CHIRITĂ, Researcher, MEPEI, Romania Mrs. Olga STATE, Intern, MEPEI, Romania |
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| 20:00 – 20:15 | Conclusions and Final Remarks |
| H.E. Dr. Alibeman Eghbali ZARCH, Director Eurasia Studies, IPIS, Former Ambassador to Albania, The Islamic Republic of Iran
Dr. Liviu MUREŞAN, President, EuroDefense Romania Mr. Flavius CABA-MARIA, President, MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania |
Speakers
The Islamic Republic of Iran
- HE Dr. Muhammad Hassan Shaykh al-ISLAMI, President of Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Islamic Republic of Iran – online;
- Kayhan BARZEGAR, Senior Academic Advisor at MoFA, Professor at the Islamic Azad University / Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Khalil SHIRGHOLAMI, Vice President, IPIS, the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- HE Dr. Alibeman Eghbali ZARCH, Director Eurasia Studies, IPIS, Former Ambassador to Albania, the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Dr. Masoumeh Saif AFJEHI, Manager of Human Rights and Women’s Studies Department, IPIS, the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Davood KIANI, Islamic Azad University, Vice President at the Institute of Iran and Eurasia Studies (IRAS), the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Fereydoon JAFARI, Researcher, Consultant, Attorney at Law, Arbitrator Founder & Vice President (Scientific Association of ICL), Head of SEI Iranian Branch, Law Department, Humanities Faculty, Bu Ali Sina University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
International
- HE Dr. Ali Awad ASSERI, Board Members of Trustees, International Institute for Iranian Studies – RASANAH, and Former Ambassador of KSA to Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
- Abdolreza Ali OSERI, Professor, University of Kuwait, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait;
- Huseyin BAGCI, President, Foreign Policy Institute, Ankara, the Republic of Türkiye;
- HE Dr. Mustafa IMAD, Dean, Diplomatic Institute of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Former Ambassador to USA and China, Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic – online;
- Basam ABOABDOLAH, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Central School of the Ba’ath Party, Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic;
- Zafar Nawaz JASPAL, Director, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan;
- Nourhan El-Sheikh, Cairo University and Nasser Higher Military Academy, Member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Cairo, the Arab Republic of Egypt;
- Abdul Halim FADLALLAH, Chairman, the Consultative Center for Studies and Documentation, Beirut, the Lebanese Republic;
- Laura SAYAH, Researcher, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Beirut, the Republic of Lebanon – TBC – online;
- Yao JINXIANG, Assistant Research Fellow, Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), Beijing, the People’s Republic of China;
- Dr. LI Zixin, Assistant Research Fellow, Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), Beijing, the People’s Republic of China;
- Ruhanas Harun, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
- László CSICSMANN, Director, Institute for International Studies, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary;
- Nicola PEDDE, Director of IGS (Institute for Global Studies), Rome, Italy;
- Henri DOU, Expert with the French-Chinese Association of Economic Intelligence, Associate Professor with the Pasquale Paoli University in Corsica, France;
- Adnan TABATABAI, Director, Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient, Bonn, Germany.
Youth generation
- Amal TAHIRI, Student, Hague University of Applied Science, the Netherlands – online;
- Benedikt ERTL, Student, Regensburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany;
- Isabella ZAIDAN, Member of the Scientific Research Council, Al-Sham Private University, National Union of Syrian Students, Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic;
- Soroush MOHAMMADHOSSEIN, PhD Student, Researcher in International Relations and Multilateral Diplomacy, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Mr. Ahmed MUSTAFA, Student, Politics and International Relations, Royal Holloway University of London, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/the United Kingdom – online;
- Mrs. Iulia-Mihaela DRĂGAN, Ph.D. Student, Bucharest, Romania;
- Mrs. Ancuța DOCE, Ph.D. Candidate, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Romania
- Adrian SEVERIN, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Former President of the Parliament Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romania;
- Flavius CABA-MARIA, President of MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania;
- Liviu MUREŞAN, President, EuroDefense Romania;
- Ecaterina MAȚOI, Program Director at MEPEI, Lecturer at the Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Department of Basel University, Switzerland;
- Alexandru GEORGESCU, Scientific Researcher, ICI Bucharest and Secretary General, EuroDefense Romania;
- Marcela GANEA, Researcher, BRIRL (Belt and Road Initiative Research Lab), Romania;
- Iulian MAREȘ, Strategic Analyst, MEPEI, Bucharest, Romania.
Partners:
- IPIS (Institute for Political and International Studies IPIS/MoFA, Iran);
- Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest;
- IFIMES (International Institute for the Middle East and Balkan Studies);
- Belt and Road Initiative Research Lab, Romania.
Media Partners:
- Modern Diplomacy (https://moderndiplomacy.eu/);
- Financial Intelligence (https://financialintelligence.ro/);
- Novus Ordo Media (https://novusordomedia.ro/).
Phoenicia Grand Hotel, Bucharest Conference Hall, 87 Căpitan Alexandru Șerbănescu Street, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania
You can contact us at office@mepei.com
