Roundtable

Russia, the West and the future of the Middle East

27 April 2012, Maison de l'Europe, Luxembourg

in association with the Russian State Agency for International Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation, Moscow

The roundtable focused on the role of Russia and the West in the Middle East, in particular the events of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ and the strategic issues for the longer-term future of this region. The participants raised a wide range of issues and had a robust exchange of views on Russian and West approaches to current developments and challenges. The discussions were structured by four themes: first of all, a critical assessment of Russian and Western strategic and economic policies in the Middle East. Second, an account of Middle Eastern policies, notably Western European, Russian and other interests at stake. Third, reflections on whether a rapprochement between Russian and Western positions is desirable, conceivable and indeed feasible. Finally, an outline of elements for a sound and viable policy perspective for the Middle East.

Speakers

Bingen, Georges, Representative of the European Commission in Luxembourg

Blinov, Anatoly, Representative for Luxembourg of the Russian State Agency for International Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Clesse, Armand, Director, Luxembourg Institute for European and International Studies

Ehteshami, Anoush, Professor, Director of the ESRC Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World in the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University

Friden, Georges, Director, Direction des Affaires politiques, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg

Grachev, Andrei, Chairman, Advisory Council, New Policy Forum, Luxembourg

Hirsch, Mario, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, European Union Institute for Security Studies

Konovalov, Alexander, President, Institute for Strategic Assessment; Editor-Consultant TV Channel "Russia 24", Moscow

Menkiszak, Merek, Head, Russian Department, Center for Eastern Studies (OSW), Warsaw

Pabst, Adrian, Lecturer in Politics, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, Canterbury; Research Fellow, Luxembourg Institute for European and International Studies

Rühl, Lothar, Professor, Research Institute for Political Science and European Affairs, University of Cologne, former State Secretary of Defence, Germany

Satanovsky, Evgeny, President, Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, Moscow

Shulgin, Alexander, Ambassador, Embassy of Russia, Luxembourg

Tkachenko, Alexander, Director, Centre for North African and African Horn Studies, Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Zvyagelskaya, Irina, Director, Center of conflicts, Institute for Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow