Impact of 2012 Elections on Future of Europe's Stability and Energy Security

BELGRADE, Serbia, June 9, 2011 -

International political leaders, policy-makers, diplomats and business
leaders met in Belgrade today to discuss the impact and importance of
presidential and parliamentary elections in Europe, the USA and Russia in
2012 on international stability and security.

The one day conference, titled 'European Security in the light of 2012
Elections', attracted experts from the UK, USA, Italy as well as central
Europe and Russia to speak on three central subjects:

- Political and economic cooperation in Europe

- European stability in the post-election world

- Energy security and cooperation between states

The conference included foreign policy and regional experts including
Alexander Konuzin, Russian ambassador to Serbia, Charles Crawford, recent
United Kingdom ambassador to Poland and to Serbia.

Also speaking was Dr Alessandro Musolino, member of the board of Youth
Organisation of the governing European People's Party in Italy, Alexander
Babakov, vice-speaker of the State Duma of Russia, and Helen Teplitskaia,
president of the American-Russian chamber for commerce and industry.

Talking on political and economic cooperation in Europe after 2012, Mr
Crawford said: "Political and economic trends in the USA and across Europe
and in Russia are strikingly fluid and unpredictable. New technology gives
citizens new power, putting national and international political structures,
in Europe in particular, under growing pressure. We all need to redefine what
'stability' means and how we can sustain it together. Conferences like this
help advance this key debate of our time."

The impact of the elections on business links and investment flows
between East and West was also debated by the 100 conference delegates at the
Sava Centar in the city.

Mrs Teplitskaia said: "As the 2012 presidential elections in the US and
Russia approach, anticipation and concern is building that stability and
predictability-loving investors might take a back seat until pre-election
market volatility turns into post-election euphoria. The 'reset' with Russia
launched by the current US Administration is likely to progress beyond 2012,
and people will be looking to the candidates for assurances that Russia will
further stabilize and expand its status as a lucrative investment destination
and influential investor in its own right."

Ahead of the energy debate, Tamas Vargha MP, from Hungary, said: "Energy
is one of the most important topics for European governments with very real
concerns about the security supply. Governments in the West will be looking
to Russia to guarantee a reliable and competitive supply and will be watching
the 2012 elections closely for an outcome which delivers the security and
stability which has developed over the past 12 years."

Mr Babakov said: "Russia is determined to continue to be a good friend of
the West and this means steering the same democratic course which has
delivered a stable Russia and strong international friendships across Europe
and in the USA."

The conference, held in the Serbian capital a week in advance of the NATO
summit in the same city, was organized by the Belgrade Forum, led by the
former foreign minister of Yugoslavia, Zivadin Jovanovic. He said: "It is
important that Serbia plays a full role on the international stage and
maintains its strong sense of independence and history. This conference has
attracted world-class speakers and I'm delighted to host such an event in
Belgrade."

Notes to editors

For more information, including a full conference programme or images
from the event please contact the Belgrade Forum Press Centre via
beoforum.press@gmail.com or telephone +381-063-819-4569

.