Within the framework of the 32nd Economic Forum held in Karpacz, Poland, panel discussions dedicated to “South-Caucasus in Europe: Energy and Connectivity” were organized by the AIR Center. Among the panelists were Witold de Chevilly, director of the Belgium-based "New Direction" foundation, Tengiz Pkaladze, professor of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), Daria Isachenko, expert of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Orkhan Bagirov, expert of the South Caucasus Research Center, and the AIR Center's experts Vasif Huseynov and Naghi Ahmadov.

In his speech, V. Huseynov noted that the Middle Corridor creates proximity between the countries of Central Asia and Eastern Europe, both in terms of transport and geopolitics. He emphasized that the South Caucasus countries, especially Azerbaijan and Georgia, play the role of a bridge between East and West.

Speaking about the interests of the European Union, Witold de Chevilly spoke about the importance of energy and transport cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU for the national security of the union countries. He said that against the backdrop of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Azerbaijan is an important partner for the EU and that this cooperation will enhance even more after the war.

Speaking later, T. Pkaladze noted that Azerbaijan and Georgia have strategic partnership and the initiatives of the two states are inclined to develop the Middle Corridor. D. Isachenko noted that Türkiye's geopolitical weight in the South Caucasus increased after the Second Karabakh War which promises new opportunities for the Middle Corridor.

N. Ahmadov said that Azerbaijan has taken important steps to create infrastructure for the Middle Corridor in order to increase the load-carrying capacity of the corridor, and emphasized that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line plays a special role in this regard.

In his speech, O. Bagirov noted that the energy relations between Azerbaijan and the EU will remain relevant even after the Ukrainian war. Touching upon the cooperation in the energy sector between Azerbaijan and Eastern European countries, O. Bagirov said that the requirements of the new era regarding the transition to green energy are taken into account between the parties.

It should be noted that the 32nd Economic Forum, which is considered to be one of the largest forums in Eastern Europe, was held on 5-7 September, 2023 in Karpacz, Poland.