MONTREUX, January 22. /ITAR-TASS/. The gem of the Swiss Riviera, the city of Montreux is hosting the long-awaited international conference on Syria on Wednesday.

Like the first such meeting held in Geneva in 2012, it has been dubbed Geneva-2. However, since the annual Horology Show is being held there, the Swiss side, true to the principles of accuracy, suggested that participants of the forum gather on the agreed date but on the other side of Lake Leman.

Over 1,000 journalists have arrived in Montreux to cover the conference. A press center has been established for the media people at Montreux Palace Hotel — the venue of the conference.

This time, access to the famous alley near the lake's shore has been restricted due to unprecedented security measures. The central part of the city is completely cordoned off and access to the zone is allowed only upon the presentation of special passes.

"Considering the importance of the present meeting, the locals regard the temporary inconveniences with understanding. The future of the Syrian people depends in many respects on results of the (forthcoming) talks. We are glad to point out that at our level we can also contribute to a settlement of the situation in Syria," a source at the Montreux City Concil told Itar-Tass.

It is noteworthy that simultaneously with the Geneva-2 conference, the 44th session of the World Economic Forum opens Wednesday in Davos, 300 km away from here. Many officials will travel from Motreux to Davos. To date, such plans have been confirmed, in particular, by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State John Kerry, and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.