Russia organizes WWI conference in Belgrade

BELGRADE - The international conference marking the centenary of World War I, to be held in Belgrade on September 16-18, will be attended by a Russian delegation led by the deputy minister of foreign affairs, the Embassy of Russia said in a release.

The conference opening ceremony and the consecration of the memorial to fallen Russian and Serbian soldiers will be attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin.

The conference titled 'The Great War and the Beginning of a New World: An Up-to-Date Agenda for the Humankind' will bring together reputable scientists, historians and statesmen from Russia, Serbia and other European countries.

The Russian delegation arriving in Serbia for the conference will be led by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexey Meshkov, and Chairman of the International Public Foundation Apostle Andrew the First Called and Russian National Glory Center Vladimir Yakunin, states the release.

The conference set to take place at Belgrade's Sava Center will also be attended by dignitaries of the Russian Orthodox Church, Deputy Director of the State Hermitage Museum and State King of Arms Georgy Vilinbakhov, as well as the former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus and the former secretary general of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer.

The participants will address the current aspects of the history of World War I and their impact on modern international relations.

The main organizers of the conference are Russian organizations Apostle Andrew the First Called and Russian National Glory Center, and Serbia's Belgrade Forum for the World of Equals.

The event is...