May 29 Yurmala (Latvia) hosted a panel discussion “Regional Systems of Global Security” in anticipation of the International Conference Yaroslavl 2010.

The event chaired by Igor Yurgens served as a platform for a presentation of the upcoming International Conference Yaroslavl 2010. The speakers suggested topics for the panel discussion paying the major attention to planning of interpanel meetings on the European security, which is scheduled for the second day of the Conference.

Among the guests were internationally recognized experts in the global and regional security from Russia, USA, Germany, France, UK, Latvia etc.; Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia Alexanser Veshnyakov; representatives of various Embassies, top officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport of Latvia, and Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs.

Participants of the event worked out recommendations on analysis of security issues faced by the Middle East, Northeast Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan etc., and on the issues related to efficiency of other regional organizations including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization etc.

The event was followed by a press-conference, where Chairman of the Management Board of the Institute of Contemporary Development Igor Yurgens, Director of the Institute of World Economics and International Affairs Alexander Dynkin, and Director of Programs of the German Council on Foreign Relations Alexander Rar.

Participants of the panel discussion focused on President Medvedev’s European security initiative, on the Russian draft of the European Security Agreement known as the Corfu Process, and on the pattern and prospects of Russia-NATO relationship.

The role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) also became the subject for intense debates. Apart from that, certain event participants believed it reasonable to focus on the prospects of the European security platform, which may come as a result of enhanced relations with Russia. This subject was raised in the wake of the upcoming finalization of NATO’s new Strategic Concept, which will outline the Alliance’s development pattern for the next decade.