1. CBC-seminar in Joensuu
Roving Ambassador of Finland to South Caucasus
Christer Michelsson

2. My background
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Embassy of Finland, Moscow 1987-1990, 2004-2007
Embassy of Finland, Bonn, 1990-1993
Ambassador of Finland to Ukraine, 2007-2011
Ambassador (Helsinki based) to Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Georgia, 2013-
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3. Southern Caucasus 1957-1991
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4. South Caucasus after 2008
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5. Every journey begins with a first step
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6. –
The origin of EU - a peace project and
functional Cross Border Cooperation
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7. Vienna 19.11.2013
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8. Key prerequisites for successful CBC:
1. Political will
2. Respect
3. Trust, and
4. Functioning and recognized borders
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9. Cross Border Cooperation
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10. CBC in South Caucasus
• CBC possible between Armenia and Georgia and Azerbaijan
and Georgia
• The protracted conflics make CBC difficult in the disputed
territories, therefore
• The role of civil society will be crucial, as well as the role of
the UN and EU
• step-by-step approach. Aim at what is possible.
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