Crans Montana: Are peace, development, and stability just an illusion?

(Patria) – The Crans Montana Forum has been held for the past 30 years in Geneva, the birthplace of the League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations. Swiss neutrality, which has never been questioned, remains an ideal platform for debating ways to achieve world peace.

Every year, government leaders, representatives of international organizations and corporations gather in Geneva to exchange views and ideas.

In an interview with Euronews, honorary chairman and founder of the forum, Jean-Paul Carteron, stated that the forum has never been politically active, but rather chooses topics that can contribute to the normal functioning of the world. 'Our mission from the very beginning was to build a bridge between the new democracies of Eastern Europe after the fall of communism, and the West,' Carteron claims.

On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Crans Montana has launched a new initiative called Middle East Cooperation, explaining that 'from Italy to Russia via Azerbaijan, the Adriatic and Black Seas, countries have the potential to become key players in regional integration and economic development'.

Vittorio Torbianelli from the Port System of the Eastern Adriatic Sea claims that sea routes can be used as highways for the development of interregional cooperation, but 'they can also play a mediating role between business and international relations'.

Euronews quotes the Director of the Maritime Administration of Sierra Leone, Inatmacoomber, who believes that maritime corridors for shipments are once again becoming influential platforms. 'As in the days of the Renaissance and Marco Polo, when Italian ports had the potential to become important connection points between the East and the rest of the world, especially Africa,' Coomber explains, adding that 'connecting the Silk Road with West Africa would improve trade in the region, enhance our financial situation, and help create new jobs for young people'.