Former President of Finland Tarja Halonen has applauded Azerbaijan`s leadership in the region amid global economic crisis.

In an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the fourth Global Baku Forum, she said: “Azerbaijan is making a vital contribution to ensuring energy security of Europe, and playing an important role in developing and stabilizing the global economy.”

She also hailed the activity of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. “The center has done a lot. The Global Baku Forum has won serious support on the international level. It is completely open to Europe,” she added.