MGIMO at French Institute of International Relations 40th Anniversary Celebrations

MGIMO at French Institute of International Relations 40th Anniversary Celebrations

21 March 2019

March 20th-21st, in Moscow and in the framework of the Trianon Dialogue, a myriad of events were organized to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the prominent think-tank: the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).

March 20th, a presentation of the Russian-language edition of the book «Russia Journal. 1977–2011» by Thierry de Montbrial, the Founder and President of IFRI, took place. The event was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office and Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, the Aide to the President Andrei Fursenko, the French Ambassador to Russia Sylvie Bermann and other famous politicians, academics and businessmen.

MGIMO Rector Anatoly Torkunov, also Co-Chairman of the Trianon dialogue, remarked that this personal diary written by a leading expert in international relations is of interest to experts and amateurs alike. The President’s Press-Secretary shared his positive impressions about the book and suggested the author might consider writing a second book covering more recent events.

March 21st, MGIMO hosted a seminar on how Russia and France perceive each other politically, during which the moderators Anatoly Torkunov and the President of IMEMO Alexander Dynkin, shared their perception of bilateral relations. The President of IFRI Thierry de Montbrial and the Head of the Center for French Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute for European Studies Yuri Rubinsky spoke about how France can help establish a productive dialogue between Russia and the Euro-Atlantic community. Other speakers commented on the Ukrainian situation, France and Russia’s contribution to the policy in the Middle East and other topics.

The exchange of ideas continued at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations. Thierry de Montbrial made a presentation on the current state of international relations, focusing his attention on France and Russia’s role on the world stage. Thierry de Montbrial and Anatoly Torkunov also met with the Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov to discuss the organization of a session dedicated to Russia at the World Policy Conference.

— See the MGIMO web-site for russian version