OSCE-organized conference gathers scientists to discuss Armenia's capacity to confront new security threats

YEREVAN, 2 November 2006 - Scientists and researchers from Armenia, Russia and the United States met in Yerevan for a two-day conference, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, to talk about Armenia's capacity to deal with new threats and challenges to security. 

"This event, which is a follow-up to a similar conference held in November 2004, is meant to bring together Armenia's academia and beyond and to give them an opportunity to exchange their views on human security challenges in Armenia and the wider Southern Caucasus," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office.

"Functioning democratic institutions and the rule of law play an important role in preventing threats to human security worldwide. This is where the OSCE comes in: respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law are at the core of the OSCE's comprehensive concept of security," he said.

One of the key recommendations emanating from the event was to connect with the so-called Byurakan Symposia on Global Challenges, which served in the 1960s and 70s to promote international contacts of Armenia's scientific community and civil society. It is hoped that the event will be held on an annual basis.