H.E. Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of Latvia
H.E. Mr. Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland
H.E. Mr. Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of Estonia
H.E. Mr. Andrius Kubilius, Prime Minister of Lithuania
H.E. Mr. Jyrki Katainen, Prime Minister of Finland

Moderator: Mr. John Peet, Europe editor, the Economist

Discussion is supported by the European Commission Representation in Latvia

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?

However, the path Russia will take in its modernization and development is dependent on the government and public’s attitude, as well as motivation to do something.
Teikmanis, who previously served as Latvia’s ambassador to Russia, also added that he is confident that Russia is ready to live like the West.

Edīte Arāja LETA
17.09.2011

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Manizha Bakhtari was appointed as Afghanistan Ambassador to the Nordic countries in September 2009. Prior to her ambassadorial assignment, Ms Bakhtari was the chief of staff of the Afghan foreign minister and a part time lecturer at Kabul University. She holds a bachelor degree in journalism and a Master degree in Persian Language and Literature from Kabul University. In 2002, she was accredited as lecturer in the faculty of journalism in Kabul University. She has also worked for the Cooperation Center for Afghanistan (CCA) which is a non governmental organization, specializing in gender, human rights and political training for Afghan women as well as providing vocational training for Afghan women and advocacy.

Furthermore, Manizha Bakhtari is the author of two journalistic books: “The interesting World of News” and “Ethics and Law in Journalism” which are currently taught at the Journalism Faculty, Kabul University. She is also the author of a researching book about the contemporary history of Afghanistan’s satire writing “Angabin neshkhand and sharing noshkhand”. She is the author of a collection of stories titled “Three Angels”, as well. Besides, Manizha Bakhtari was responsible for Parnian Magazine (A Cultural and Literature Quarterly Magazine) as editor in chief.