The ninth Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, an event dedicated to defense, security and international relations in the extended region of the Black Sea and Balkans, will take place May 22 - 23 in Bucharest at the InterContinental Athenee Palace, a release informs.

The forum is organized by the New Strategy Center in partnership with the Ministry of National Defense, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest.

It will feature 50 panels and 198 speakers, bringing together diplomats, military officials and high-profile analysts from the EU and NATO member states, as well as from partner countries.

'The event will focus on four major themes: the transatlantic relationship and the recalibration of the American military presence in Europe and the Black Sea region; negotiations for a peace agreement in Ukraine and the need to prevent a new Russian attack that could bring it to the mouths of the Danube and Romania's border; Russia's real intentions in the Ukraine peace negotiations and what kind of a Russia will Romania have next to it - aggressive or willing to concessions; continued support for the Republic of Moldova, so that Russia's hybrid war doesn't halt its progress towards the European Union,' the cited source said.

The participants in the forum will also discuss the military lessons learned on the Ukrainian frontline, the reconstruction of Ukraine, energy security, cognitive warfare and disinformation, security challenges in the Balkans and disruptive technologies.

'The entire event is intended to be a plea for security and prosperity in the Black Sea and the Balkans region, an open and free space for trade, connectivity and the exploitation of energy resources,' the cited source says.

Reputed experts are invited to the meeting, such as former commanders of the NATO forces in Europe, General (Ret'd) Philip Breedlove and General (Ret'd) Mike Scaparrotti, Russian opposition leaders Mikhail Kasyanov and Vladimir Kara-Murza, as well as heroes of the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian aggression, who will share the drama suffered during the Russian occupation or in captivity, the release also states. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)