Published: 16:18 17.09.2011.

RIGA, Sept 17 (LETA) – In order for Russia modernize, this country’s government and people must embrace Western traditions, Latvian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis said today during the annual high level foreign policy and security policy forum ”Riga Conference 2011”.

Teikmanis said that Russia’s modernization is necessary, because this would help the country’s economic development, as well as solve other issues. He added that this must take place on all levels in Russia – geographically, as well as politically.
The Latvian state secretary also pointed out that Russia has taken various different paths previously – nationalization, industrialization etc., but the main questions remains – what to do now, and who will do this?

Vairāk…

To ensure that you do not miss any of the exciting debates taking place, please follow the link to the livestream: http://www.rigaconference.lv/livestream/

To join in with the live debates on Facebook and on Twitter, please follow: #RigaConf

Please note that the live broadcast will start in this section shortly before the Conference opening: September 16 at 16:00 (CET time + 1 hour).

Dr. Artis Pabriks, Deputy Prime Minister for EU Presidency, Defense Minister of Latvia

With the Riga Conference only a few days away, we are also pleased to announce that three other exciting side events, offering further opportunity to take part in informative and exciting debates and discussions on a series of issues to be drawn upon at this year’s conference will also be taking place this year.

LATO is pleased to announce the following side events taking place during the conference weekend:

1) The Riga Conference Young Diplomacy Professional Forum
2) “Belarus: Lost in Translation” Expert Discussion
3) Early Parliamentary Elections in Latvia: Q&A

For more information on these events, please visit our Side Events section.

Ojārs Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Latvia

Toms Baumanis, Chairman of the Board, Latvian Transatlantic Organisation

With the Rīga Conference only a week away, and preparations for this year’s event in full swing, we are now delighted to publish the livestream programme  for the Rīga Conference 2011.

Once again and for the second year running, the Rīga Conference will be made available to an online audience. Not only will viewers be able to follow the invigorating debates, additional interviews and expert comments taking place this year, they will also have the unique opportunity to interact with the live panel and participate in live debates through our various online platforms on the livestream page, Twitter and Facebook.

In order to engage and follow the action at this year’s Riga Conference, please join the debates on Twitter (your key to the Twitter debates: #RigaConf) and Facebook.

Andris Teikmanis, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia