NATO put itself in awkward position by refusing to attend Moscow security conference - Antonov
MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax-AVN) - The Moscow conference on international security to be held on May 23 will focus on "color revolutions," said Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov.
"Western countries and their official representatives, and also official representative of the NATO countries have made up their minds not to come to Moscow this time and by doing so put themselves in an awkward position," Antonov said in an interview with the Kuna news agency (Kuwait) on Monday.
The third Moscow conference will focus on the problem of "color revolutions", the situation in the Middle East and the consequences of the troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan.
"Unfortunately, the Arab Spring which many thought brought the wind of democracy to the Middle East, has led to diametrically opposed results which failed to justify the hopes cherished by so many people," Antonov said.
"All of the listed problems influence international security one way or another. Therefore, it is our task to bring experts together and to discuss what the countries need to do together to make living more peaceful not only in the regions to be considered, but also in the world as a whole," he said.
Antonov said that about 200 people had been invited and many more volunteered to come. Over 250 experts have confirmed their attendance, he said.