11/12/2012
http://prensa.fundacionfaes.org/2012/DICIEMBRE/AZNAR+GRUPO+web.jpg! They talked about the opportunities for progress in their countries, the reform of their institutions and the keys to the establishment of an open economy Madrid, 11.12.12.-The former Prime Minister of Spain and President of "FAES Foundation" "Jos? Mar?a Aznar" received on Tuesday December 11, the young leaders participating in the first edition of "Middle East and North Africa Visitor Program" at the headquarters of the Foundation. "Aznar" talked about opportunities for progress in the region and stressed the need to reform its institutional base to improve its competitiveness and its position in the world. In this sense, he analysed the keys for the establishment of a free market economy, which he described as a fundamental part to establish open and prosperous societies. Participants in this first edition of the program, organised by FAES Foundation and the Center for European Studies, CES, are politicians, scholars, journalists, NGOs and entrepreneurs from Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Mauritania and Kurdistan. During the meeting, they also discussed issues like the risks entailed by fundamentalism for human rights, individual liberty, equality, legal certainty and enforcement of civil law. They also reviewed the strategic changes that will take place in the international arena over the next few years. PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY The Middle East and North Africa Visitor Program is part of the activities developed FAES for the promotion of democracy and the consolidation of human rights around the world, and seeks a diagnosis of the roots and impact of the 'Arab Spring'. It also aims to raise awareness amongst Spanish public opinion and European Union authorities on the need to support governments that choose democratic reforms in the region. The program, organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Center for European Studies, the Secretariat of State for International Cooperation and Iberoamerica, the National Democratic Institute and the Centrist Democrat International, has been held from Monday 10 and will continue until Friday 14, and seeks to establish a network of partners to support and consolidate reform movements in those countries claiming democracy, equal opportunities and respect for human rights.