New security challenges and EU responses

The conference focused on whether the old distinction between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ security challenges are still applicable and on the extent to which the ‘global challenges’ listed in the EU Security Strategy have a specifically European dimension and relevance. The EU Security Strategy was introduced to the Baltic public and the kind of capabilities that would be necessary to live up to the challenges and ambitions enshrined in the Strategy were illustrated.

Introductory remarks by Atis Lejins (LIIA, Riga) and Antonio Missiroli (EUISS, Paris)

Session 1 - New global challenges : the ‘hard’ side
Chair: Gediminas Varvuolis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vilnius
Speakers:
Gustav Lindstrom, EUISS, Paris
Christopher Coker, LSE, London
Discussants:
Thomas Hajnoczi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vienna
Esther Barbé, Universitat Autònoma, Barcelona Session 2 - New global challenges: the ‘soft’ side
Chair: Viljar Veebel, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, Tallinn
Speakers:
Antonio Missiroli, EUISS, Paris
Bengt Sundelius, Swedish National Defence College, Stockholm
Discussants:
Friedemann Müller, SWP, Berlin
Per Carlsen, Danish Institute for International Studies, Copenhagen Dinner hosted by the Latvian Ministry of Defence
Welcome address by Mr. Edgars Rinkevics, State Secretary, Latvian Ministry of Defence Saturday, 18th September Session 3 - Kyoto, global warming and multilateral regimes
Chair: Atis Lejins, LIIA, Riga
Speakers:
Willy Kempel, European Commission, DG RELEX, Brussels
David Michel, Centre for Transatlantic Relations, Washington D.C.
Discussants:
Urs Luterbacher, GIIS, Geneva
Elise Launay, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris Session 4 - Global challenges and EU responses
Chair: Tomas Ries, NDC, Helsinki
Speakers:
György Tatar, EU Council, Brussels
Rob de Wijk, Centre for Strategic Studies, Clingendael
Discussants:
Vladimir Bilcik, Slovak Foreign Policy Association, Bratislava
Jean-Yves Haine, EUISS, Paris