The greeting reads, in part:
“You will discuss key security issues and above all the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures. Since the first such meeting in 2002 the international community has made significant progress in facing up to this global threat. Joint operations have eliminated the channels through which terrorists get their weapons and financing. A number of international counter-terrorist exercises have been conducted.
Today it is important to increase the level of cooperation, exchange experiences and information, and use the most up-to-date measures and working methods. This also refers to curbing terrorist activities in the global information space.
I hope that your meeting will represent another step in strengthening cooperation between security forces, special services and law enforcement agencies. In turn, this will better protect our citizens from internal and external threats.”
Such meetings have been held annually in different Russian cities since 2002. This year the meeting is taking place in Irkutsk (Eastern Siberia) and features special services’ representatives from 57 different countries.