GLOBSEC is a unique international security forum gathering the most influential high-politics, non-governmental, corporate and intellectual leaders not only from both sides of the Atlantic but including the wider international security community. GLOBSEC is a unique and sui generis event in Central Europe, taking place annually in Bratislava.
From 2005, the forum creates an unparalleled meeting place for prominent international political leaders, Slovak and foreign governmental and parliamentarian representatives, representatives of international organizations, international affairs and security experts and analysts, representatives of non-governmental and corporate sector and media, to discuss solutions to key transatlantic and global security challenges.
International community and transatlantic partnership are currently facing completely new global security challenges. The GLOBSEC conferences are searching for the answers and solutions to the most relevant security threats such as international terrorism, security challenges in Afghanistan and in the Balkans and the role of transatlantic institutions in the global security environment. The solutions that GLOBSEC brings help to shape the transatlantic security agenda so that it responds effectively to new global security questions.
The GLOBSEC conference represents a unique and prestigious security forum with significant implications, whereby its participation level, format and scope of influence go beyond the Central European area. The quality of discussion, expertise of panellists and key speakers as well as implications scope of the conference is growing every year. The GLOBSEC has become a tradition with a perspective of further growth of the project.
1st Keynote Speech: Transatlantic relations at crossroad?
The upcoming NATO Summit in Strasbourg – Kehl; France and Germany will be symbolical for the transatlantic relations and the relations between NATO and EU. Transatlantic relations are undergoing fundamental changes in the today´s world; asymmetric security environment, the burgeoning role of EU and its foreign and security pillar is increasingly influencing also the operation of NATO. Russia’s increasing confrontation is dividing Europe in the international scene, at the same time strategic relations with Russia will fundamentally influence the shaping of the European and Euro-Atlantic Security Environment. What should be the destiny of Ukraine and Georgia in these terms? The 60th Anniversary of NATO is a good time to rethink the transatlantic security relations. Is NATO and EU capable to step up for the security challenges of today, does it fulfill the expectations for the transatlantic security cooperation? The transatlantic relations seem to be at a crossroad. What direction should it move? These and other questions related to the topic will be analysed in the Keynote Speech.
1st Panel: NATO at 60: Towards a New Strategy?
In 2009, NATO will celebrate 60th Anniversary of the Washington Treaty. At the same time it will be 10 years since the last Strategic Concept of NATO was adopted. The upcoming NATO Summit in Strasbourg – Kehl will open fundamental questions about the future of NATO and its role in the security environment of the 21st Century. Is it the time for Retirement or Rethinking the Alliance? Some expert argue, that the current Strategic Concept of NATO does not reflect the changes in the security environment which have occurred after 9/11 2001. Is it the right time to adopt a New Strategic Concept? Are the NATO allies ready at all to agree on a clear definition of the new security threats and are they ready to adopt a common strategy to fight them? The intention of the conference is to bring important stimuli to the discussion about the future strategies of the Alliance. At the same time, EU is building its foreign and security pillar and its ambitions are growing along with it. The burgeoning role of EU is increasingly influencing also the operation of NATO. Both organizations share overlapping 80% of the members. The “solution of the frozen conflict” between NATO and EU is fundamental for the future of both organizations.
2nd panel: Transatlantic Relations after Change in US and European Political Elites
Barack Obama has become the new President of the United States of America. Expectations from the new US president are high both in Europe and USA. At the same time, Barack Obama has already called upon the European Countries to increase the number of soldiers in Afghanistan. The mission in Afghanistan seems to be the biggest challenge which will prove the state of the transatlantic relations. What are the European countries ready to put on the common transatlantic table? The intention of the conference is to analyze the possible changes in the policy of the new administration and to identify the implications for Euro-Atlantic security environment and alternatives of development in this regard.
3rd Panel Europe Divided? Dealing with a Resurgent Russia
The question of the endeavor of Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO and EU has disturbed the surface of the discussion not only in their countries but also in Europe and Russia. The future of countries like Ukraine and Georgia is crucial for the European security environment. These questions are even more relevant since Russia is increasingly active in the international affairs with the intention to justify its influence in countries in its neighborhood. The Russia is increasingly active not only in relations with NATO and EU but we can experience the increasing factor of Russia also in relations with countries like Ukraine and Georgia.
The question of the anti-missile defense and Kosovo will still be on the table. How will the partnership of NATO and EU with Russia look like in the future? This relation will fundamentally influence the shaping of the European and Euro-Atlantic Security Environment. At the same time, the changes in the Russian administration will influence the Russian – European and US – Russian relations. The conference will analyze the possibilities of development in this regard.
Closing Event: From Security Receiver to Security Provider: Slovakia 5 years in NATO and EU
In 2009 Slovakia will celebrate five years as a member of transatlantic structures, NATO and EU. At the same time, Slovakia turned from the receiver of security to a provider of security. The intention of the conference in this regard is to evaluate the added value of Slovakia in these organizations as well as draw implications and strategies for the future operations of Slovakia in EU and NATO. At the same time, Slovakia will be finishing with its status as the contact Embassy of NATO in Ukraine. What added value did Slovakia bring to Ukraine and to its relation with NATO?
The GLOBSEC conference, apart from its official program, creates a unique possibility for networking, contact-building and discussion for the participants in non-formal ambience during breaks, lunch and reception. The conference attendance is generally 150-200 guests with background in international politics, diplomatic and security field.
