Objectives included the nurturing of partnerships among formal and non-formal educators within the region.

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And once it does that, with or without formal peace treaties, and with or without democracies flourishing region-wide, Israel will facilitate regional peace and stability for the benefit of all.

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Now the dish figures prominently on the menu at his less formal restaurant, DZ'Envies, in Dijon, the region's capital.

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As a child growing up in a poor region of southern Algeria, Abou Zeid had little formal schooling, but his intimate knowledge of the border with Libya made him an expert smuggler.

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Given the challenges we face together in a rapidly changing region, we also agreed to establish a new, formal channel of communication between our national security advisors.

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Obama also gave his first formal interview as president to Al-Arabiya, an Arab news channel, sending a message to the region that he wants a dialogue.

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And Iran, while shying from any formal embrace with America (see article), is quietly courting America's close friends in the region, such as Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

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