Munich Security Conference continues with high-level talks on day 2

By Burak Bir

MUNICH (AA) - The 60th Munich Security Conference continues on its second day Saturday with leaders' speeches and high-level talks on security challenges around the world, especially concerning the war in Ukraine and Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The day started with an address by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, followed by a panel where he said Israel should abide by international law and allow more humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech at the main stage of the conference as Russia's war on his country approaches its second anniversary.

"If there are enough air defense systems in #Ukraine, we will be able to bring home millions of Ukrainians," said Zelenskyy.

Separately, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also set to deliver remarks at the conference.

On the first day Friday, political leaders delivered addresses at the main stage, while holding bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conference.

The UK urged China to "use its influence on Iran to pressure the Houthis over their actions in the Red Sea," while Israeli President Isaac Herzog held an unpublicized meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, according to reports.

The US' Blinken also met with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the conference, where they discussed several issues, including the Taiwan Strait, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Middle East.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also held bilateral talks on the margins, including with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom, and the Netherlands' Hanke Bruins Slot. He was also received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Fidan is expected to hold more bilateral talks on Saturday.

Leading global technology companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, X, and OpenAI also signed an agreement called the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI at the conference. The agreement aims to take action against the deceptive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections this year.