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As he addressed the meeting the President of Russia said that the nation is concerned by the fact a modern system of collective security has yet to be established.

In his opinion, the best way to proceed is by taking stock of the legacy of such attempts, including the Helsinki Accord and the basic documents concerning cooperation between Russia and NATO. If the basic principles of collective security laid down there do not meet current demands, said the President, we have to think about building a new architecture to face up to 21st-century realities.

After pointing out that the deployment of elements of the global U.S. missile defence system in eastern Europe only exacerbates the situation, and that Russia will be compelled to respond in kind, Dmitry Medvedev stressed that Russia and the U.S. are responsible for maintaining stability in the world.

Dmitry Medvedev described the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo as another negative development threatening global stability.

The President also believes that taking a revisionist view of history for the sake of political expediency is a very dangerous trend. He cited the example of attempts by some countries to defend fascist regimes.

According to the head of state, in the current circumstances it is important that Russia maintain continuity and evaluate new developments cautiously, to defend its interests in an orderly and non-confrontational way, and to resist attempts by countries or organisations to circumvent international law.

The President called for the acceleration of the process of integration in both Europe and the former USSR.

The President of Russia believes that today we need security not directed against specific countries but against cross-border threats. In his view, it is necessary to create open systems of collective security, especially in Europe, Northeast Asia, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.

According to the head of state, the stability of the global economy is in fact supported by the rapidly growing economic power of Russia, China, India, Brazil and other countries. Attempts at economic selfishness, said Dmitry Medvedev, are counter-productive in the new economic situation.

The meeting was attended by almost 250 heads of Russian diplomatic missions abroad.