MOSCOW, March 21. /TASS/. The Russian Defense Ministry has invited the leadership of NATO, as well as the defense chiefs of the countries forming part of the alliance, to participate in the eighth Moscow Conference on International Security, set to be held on April 23-25, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin informed on Thursday.

"This year, we have asked the defense chiefs of 124 countries, including NATO and EU member countries, as well as the military and political leadership of NATO, to participate in the conference," Fomin said.

"I would like to note that our goal is not to give the floor only to those partners that share our views. We are ready to hear and discuss any point of view," the deputy defense minister stated.

He added that the main aim of the conference is to establish "honest, open and equal dialogue", as well as to search for "mutually acceptable solutions to security issues." "It is the people in uniform who know the true value of peace and who can find common ground in the discussion of the most crucial issues in the sphere of security and defense," Fomin noted.

"We expect professional and engaged discussions," he concluded.