The participants were addressed with welcoming remarks within the opening statements by the hosts: Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Ms Ināra Mūrniece followed by Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš. They were followed by the address by Chairperson of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Mr Elmar Brok, and then the following spoke on the topic “European Neighbourhood Policy”: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Mr Edgars Rinkēvičs, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Mr Carl Bildt and Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Mr Fathallah Sijilmassi. On this occasion, the current issues from the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy were especially highlighted, with special reference to the challenges that the European Union was facing and the activities that needed to be undertaken in order to create a secure world environment.

In continuation of the Conference, the participants had the opportunity to discuss on the topic: “European Common Foreign and Security Policy and NATO – Closer Cooperation in the Context of New Security Challenges”, which was presented in the keynote speeches by: Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia Mr Raimonds Vējonis, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mr Alexander Vershbow, and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Mr Maciej Popowski.

Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy is held within the Parliamentary Dimension of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro which participates in the work of the Conference consists of Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Emigrants Mr Miodrag Vuković and Chairperson of the Security and Defence Committee Mr Mevludin Nuhodžić.