Latvian Foreign Minister to take part in the 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy

On 8-10 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in 44th Munich Conference on Security Policy, which will debate topical issues of foreign policy and security policy, including the future perspective for transatlantic relations.

"It can be expected that this year's discussions will be particularly intense and animated, as the Munich Conference is to be held against the backdrop of such significant political events as, for example, attempts by the international community to stabilise and improve the security situation in Afghanistan, which currently is also the largest NATO military operation" Minister Riekstins noted.

The annual Security Conference in Munich ranks among the most prominent of Europe's major political meetings, and is attended by leading European, American, Asian and Russian politicians, advisors, political analysts and researchers. On the basis of conference discussions it is possible, to a great extent, to predict the development of the world's most significant political events over the next few months.

The international event schedule for the coming months also features other significant events: the Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government in Bucharest, which will decide on further enlargement of the alliance; the Russian presidential elections in March; further developments regarding the status of the Kosovo province and the situation in the Western Balkans region in general.

It is intended that Boris Tadic, recently elected President of Serbia, will speak at the opening dinner. Participating in the discussions will be Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Robert Gates, U.S.  Secretary of Defense;  Sergey B. Ivanov,  First Deputy Prime Minister and former Defence Minister of the Russian Federation, and John  McCain, U.S. Senator and presidential candidate.

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