Bled Conference to Analyse Strategic Importance of the Caspian

Ljubljana, 25 August - The Caspian region is gaining in strategic importance for Europe due to its rich energy sources, and it will become the EU's immediate neighbourhood once Romania and Bulgaria become full-fledged members. Answers to some of the questions about the bloc's future policy towards the region are expected at the Caspian Outlook 2008 conference, which starts at Bled on Sunday.