The ninth annual conference on " European Union Cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa (MENVA)" was held by the Institute for Political and International Studies with the Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI) and EuroDefense of Romania in cooperation with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Institute for Political and International Studies in Bucharest, on October 26 and 27, 2023.

The conference, attended by experts from the West and East Asian countries and Europe, was welcomed by the Romanian audience and resident embassies in Bucharest after the video message of Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami, President of the Institute for Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the opening; the chiefs of the Romanian institutions organized, Dr. Sadat Meydani, our ambassador to Romania, and Dr. Khalil Shirgholami, Vice-President of Research of Institute, gave a speech as the main speakers. Then, the issues of the West Asian region were discussed during several meetings.

The new architecture of security in the Middle East, the Gaza crisis, the revision of the prospect of cooperation between the European Union and the Middle East and its opportunities and challenges, and the issue of the Asian century were among the most important topics discussed by the 19 speakers of this conference.

In the summary of the conference, which was presented by Mr. Flavius CABA-MARIA, the head of the Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI) of Romania, and Iqbali Zarch, the head of the Eurasian Studies Department at the Institute for Political and International Studies, the following points were emphasized:

• Regional success of the Islamic Republic of Iran Foreign Policy (membership in Shanghai and BRICS and progress in relations with the Persian Gulf).
• Europe and its role in the crisis is reviewed, and Europe needs correct and realistic understanding and balanced policies more than ever.
• In today's world, continuing dual standard policies is impossible.
• The two dangerous crises of Ukraine and Palestine need an urgent solution. The importance of stopping Israel's brutal attacks on the people of Gaza, identifying the right of the Palestinian people in determining their fate, and defending their land must be emphasized by the international community.
• The European Union and the international community must be committed to preventing and resolving global crises, especially Ukraine and Palestine.
• Subjects such as energy, business, regional immigration, and security are the main focus of the European Union and the Middle East.
• China-American competition in East Asia is growing and can become a deal.
• Sanctions, as a cruel tool, target the people of countries such as Syria and Iran and are inhumane.
• The Islamic Republic of Iran can cooperate with Europe in most areas, especially energy and transit.