In order to discuss the challenges posed to national and international security by the increasing mutual cooperation between aggressor states, an international forum “Exploring the Emerging Axis: Iran-Russia Cooperation and Implications for Israel, Latvia, the Baltics and Europe” will be held at the Saeima on Monday, 10 June. The forum is organised by the Saeima in cooperation with the European Leadership Network (ELNET).
The international conference will be opened by the Edvards Smiltēns, Secretary of the Saeima, and Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima. Participants of the forum will analyse motivations, dynamics and potential consequences of Iranian-Russian cooperation in three interactive thematic discussions, as well as explore strategies for solving security issues.
During the first session, the participants will discuss Russia’s strategic motivations and the impact of its actions both on Europe, including the Baltic States, and on a wider scale. Speakers will talk about Russia's geopolitical ambitions in Ukraine, its influence in the Middle East and Africa, its cyber threats and the ongoing information warfare. Participants will also discuss ways in which Russia uses its available energy resources as a tool of geopolitical influence and ways to reduce dependence on Russian resources.
The second session will focus on Iran's regional ambitions and threats to stability, the implications for Israel, the Middle East and Europe. Among other things, participants will discuss how Iran's nuclear ambitions, hostilities and support to terrorist organisations threaten regional stability and what can be done to prevent the situation from escalating. Experts will also discuss the effectiveness of international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's aggressive stance and consider alternative approaches.
In the third and final session, experts will discuss a coherent strategy and policy solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the Iran-Russia partnership, including improving cyber security and information integrity. Possibilities for further energy independence and economic diversification from Russia will also be discussed, as well as new diplomatic initiatives for de-escalation and stability in regions facing Iranian and Russian influence.
Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Israeli parliamentarians, diplomats, ambassadors and representatives of embassies of EU and NATO member states, as well as researchers and students are invited to participate in the forum. A number of international experts on foreign policy and security issues will speak in the panel discussions.
The international forum “Exploring the Emerging Axis: Iran-Russia Cooperation and Implications for Israel, Latvia, the Baltics and Europe” will be held on Monday, 10 June, in the Baltic Hall of the Saeima at Jēkaba iela 6/8. It will start at 9:30 and will be broadcast live in Latvian and English on the website of the parliament: www.saeima.lv.
For media attention:
Media representatives who do not hold permanent accreditation for work in the Saeima are kindly requested to apply in a timely manner by e-mail – prese@saeima.lv or by telephone: +371 67087244.
Saeima Press Service