Dear Participants of VII Central and East European International Studies Association Convention in Saint-Petersburg, we greatly welcome you at the School of International Relations of Saint-Petersburg University!

The CEEISA and the SIR have had a long-standing partnership, which lasts since 1998, when the idea about creating a regional association for scholars and practitioners in the field of international relations was discussed right here, at this very venue. We are delighted that, on this occasion, the CEEISA and the SIR have teamed up again. After the CEEISA had organized a very successful 2008 WISC conference and its official journal, Journal of International Relations and Development, has become tracked by most prestigious databases in the world, including the SSCI, this partnership could not have come at a better moment. With its own worldwide recognized international prestige, the SIR as organizer of the 7th Convention of the CEEISA is indeed the partner to build on this success. We are confident that the traditionally excellent academic environment offered at the SIR will, we stimulate a fruitful academic discussion among scholars as well as practitioners from the region and beyond. We look forward to meeting you at the Convention and wish you every success in your work.

Prof. Konstantin Khudoley                         

Dean, School of International Relations      

St.Petersburg University             

Prof. Zlatko Sabic

President, Central and East

European International

Studies Association