The Center for Afghanistan Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) in collaboration with the Sofia Security Forum, South East European Centre For Asia-Pacific Studies (SEECAPS) and the Embassy of Pakistan in Bulgaria held an online discussion titled Security Implications of Developments In Afghanistan – Views From Europe And Pakistan.
The opening remarks were given by Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI, who stated that it is necessary to get all the perspectives on Afghanistan. He further said that no country is more affected than Pakistan and that Pakistan has suffered for more than four decades and has also hosted refugees. He further said that the region and particularly Pakistan has suffered due to the lack of peace in Afghanistan. Mr. Yordan Bozhilov, President of Sophia Security Forum also stated that the EU and Pakistan are the main stakeholders in the region. H.E Ms Mariam Aftab, Ambassador of Pakistan in Bulgaria, in her welcome remarks said that such interactions help build bridges between scholars and stakeholders. Ms. Elena Atanasova-Cornelis, Founding Member of SEECAPS stated that the relevance of Afghanistan for the EU cannot be denied at this importance juncture.
The first session, “Dynamics in the South and Central Asia region. Factors, trends and directions of likely future developments in the region” was moderated by Mr. Yordan Bozhilov, President of Sofia Security Forum. The first session had two discussants.
