On 19 December, the conference marked the 30th anniversary of the death of Georges Pâques – a voluntary Soviet Intelligence Service`s agent called “French Philby”. The event was organized by the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg supported by RANEPA St. Petersburg.

Event organizers welcomed the audience:

“Such series of events cover not only the activities of Soviet and Russian intelligence officers and intelligence services, but also various aspects of military history, people’s lives as well as persons who influenced the world. I am convinced that such events contribute to encouraging the younger generation to learn the national history, to developing a sense of duty, patriotism and commitment.”

Artur Azarov, Deputy Director, RANEPA St. Petersburg

“With your help, we continue to try to disclose some aspects of the life of our honored intelligence officers, friends of the Soviet Union, and I sincerely believe that this will be useful for the new Russia, useful for each of you. Perhaps one of you will have to defend and stand up for the security of our country.”

Vyacheslav Kalganov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg

Sergey Rats, Member of the Russian Union of Writers, President of the Foundation for Support of Intelligence Agency Reserve Officers, historian of Intelligence, Associate Professor noted that Georges Pâques had provided  a large number of the top secret materials and for over 20 years had worked for the Soviet Intelligence in the name of a great idea – a global peace.

Anna Gzogyan, a second-year Master’s student at the Faculty of International Relations and Politics made the presentation “Georges Pâques in the foreign press”. She expressed her gratitude to organizers for the chance to be a speaker and shared:

“It was very interesting for me to prepare the presentation about Georges Pâques, who was an agent of the Soviet Intelligence Service and was appointed the Deputy Head of the NATO Press Service. I was fascinated by his geopolitics views, ethics and moral qualities. The title of La Libre article, which inspired my message, fully reflects how Georges Pâques felt himself and defines his activities: “The spy who wanted to save the world”

Anna Gzogyan

Alen Saab, a third-year Bachelor’s student in International Relations, Chairman of the “Middle East” Student Club at RANEPA St. Petersburg also shared his impressions:

“The conference about the “French Philby”, Georges Pâques, in my opinion, addressed the contemporary topical issues. The unique series of events dedicated to intelligence, initiated by the Committee for External Relations, for me personally became the first step to immersing in the history of one of the most important dimensions of international relations – intelligence service. Thanks to the organizers!”

Alen Saab