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The message reads, in part:

“The fifth forum is taking place in the run-up to Yevgeny Primakov’s 90^th birthday.

Organised by the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, this forum rightfully occupies an outstanding place among the most prestigious and largest international conferences and attracts the attention of noted politicians, diplomats, scientists, experts and journalists from various countries. The 2019 forum in Moscow brought together over 500 participants representing more than 30 countries.

Yevgeny Primakov’s unique creative legacy remains highly relevant in modern politics, diplomacy, academic and public life. And this is only logical because such fundamental values as love for humanity, responsibility for the destinies of the world and unfailing adherence to the Motherland’s national interests, as well as respect for legitimate interests of other countries and strict compliance with the norms of international law, form the foundation of the world outlook of this outstanding statesman and thinker.

The theme of the Fifth Primakov Readings is Returning to Confrontation: Are There Any Alternatives?. This encompasses a wide range of topical matters linked with increasing risks to international security and stability, the degradation of the arms control system, the crisis of the existing globalisation model and the misuse of protectionist measures.

Indeed, the world has reached a dangerous stage, and international relations are in a state of flux. It is important to jointly search for real and viable alternatives to the intensifying confrontation, to some countries aggressively and selfishly pursuing their own political and economic interests, including by imposing sanctions and starting trade wars. We need constructive options for resolving regional and global problems. I am sure that your discussions will be very useful in this context.”

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Yevgeny Primakov was a politician, public figure, and diplomat. He was one of Russia’s leading experts in oriental studies and a prominent scholar in the fields of the global economy and international relations. Mr Primakov was Prime Minister (1998–1999), Foreign Minister (1996–1998), and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (1991–1996).