Baku, Azerbaijan –Senator and first female President of the Belgian Senate, Anne-Marie Lizin spoke at the Global Perspectives series of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy. Speaking about European integration since the end of World War II, Mme Lizin touched upon the difficulties surrounding liberalization of trade relations, judicial and financial reform within the EU context. Among the new challenges to be faced, she discussed EU enlargement, the ongoing financial crisis in Greece, and controversy over the independence of Kosovo.

Mme Lizin emphasized Azerbaijan’s balanced foreign policy, describing it as “the most independent policy” of the South Caucasus republics. The Senator also reminded her audience that the EU is enhancing its relations with the South Caucasus republics via its “Eastern Partnership” program.