Moscow hosting 8th Conference on International Security

The 8th Moscow Conference on International Security has kicked off today. As many as 35 delegations are led by defense ministers, another 19 delegations are headed by deputy defense ministers and general staff chiefs. Dozens of high-level bilateral meetings are expected to take place on the event’s sidelines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a welcome message to the participants and guests of the conference.

He noted that it is the eighth time that defense ministers, high-ranking commanding officers, heads of international organizations and leading experts from different countries have gathered in the Russian capital to discuss the most pressing issues and challenges the international community is facing.

"A high level of interest in the forum proves that it has become one of the most credible and widely acknowledged international discussion platforms in the security area," the statement posted on the Kremlin website reads.

The Russian leader noted that the Moscow Conference always attracts high-ranking participants, the exchange of views is always substantive and the agenda is always wide," Putin went on to say. "This year, the focus is on a number of pressing issues, including the reconstruction of Syria and Iraq following the defeat of terrorist groups, future developments in Africa and the Middle East," he stressed.

Putin expressed confidence that the current conference will take place in a "constructive atmosphere, contributing to the fight against terrorism and extremism, efforts to resolve regional conflicts, ensure global security and carry out important peacekeeping missions."