(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 25 OTT - The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Conference between representatives of the 28 EU countries and delegates from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine has started today.

The conference is a chance to discuss better governance, dialogue between governments and civil society, the use of technology to promote government transparency, and inclusive approaches to economic development. Since 2014, the European Union has funded more than 260 new projects across the Eastern region, reaching more than 600 organisations."Civil society representatives are voices against corruption and for transparency and are an essential force in our daily work on so many issues, from fighting violence against women, to improving the media environment", EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, said. Tomorrow, the Eastern Partnership Business Forum will gather more than 500 business leaders, government officials and policy makers from the European Union and the six partners to discuss on digital economy and business. "Through the EU4Business initiative the EU is providing increasing support for small businesses to grow, export, innovate and adapt to a digital economy", EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, said.(ANSA).