ARE (Sweden), May 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) opened here on Tuesday evening its first security forum at this central Swedish town of Are.

    Except Uzbekistan, all other EAPC member states sent a delegation to the forum. The EAPC consists of all the 26 member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and 20 partnership countries of NATO.

    NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and 15 foreign ministers participated in the two-day forum, during which no decision would be made.

    However, big figures like US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and foreign ministers from France, Britain and Germany did not show up at the forum.

    "Rice told me she really wanted to come, but it was not possible to come here," said Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds here Tuesday afternoon, who is to chair the two-day forum.

    According to the agenda, four expert panels will be organized on Wednesday to discuss issues like Europe's unresolved conflicts,NATO's partnership with countries outside the Euro-Atlantic area, cooperation with NATO partner countries in Central Asia, and co-operation between international organizations.

    Established in 1997, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council provides a forum for NATO and partner countries to consult jointly on questions of common interest, increasing mutual confidence and reducing the risk of conflict.

    Sweden, a member of the European Union, has long pursued neutrality in its foreign policy and not yet joined NATO.

    Despite active engagement in NATO-led operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan, Freivalds reiterated on Tuesday that Sweden has "no intention" to become a full member of NATO.

    To ensure the security for the forum, the Swedish authority has tightened security measures in Are, a world-famous skiing resort, and surrounding areas.

    Local media said around 1,700 police officers have been sent to the tiny town.

    Police patrolled all crossings of roads from the airport of Ostersund to Are, with helicopters roaring in the sky. Enditem