This conference explores whether emerging political, military, and ideological divisions signal the formation of “new curtain(s)” that are being spread as a shade all over Europe. European ties with the US military and intelligence protection were taken for granted.
In the wake of shifting global power dynamics, the European continent faces renewed questions about the resilience of its strategic borders. This conference explores whether emerging political, military, and ideological divisions signal the formation of “new curtain(s)” that are being spread as a shade all over Europe. European ties with the US military and intelligence protection were taken for granted. The blessing of having an opportunity to lean on collective security protection since the end of WWII has given Europeans the chance to mainly focus on building their economy. Even if the current US administration era is over in three and a half years, the European security landscape will never be the same. In the eyes of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, even Russia’s aggression on Ukraine wasn’t a wake-up call for major security policy shifts in the EU towards the region. Are we witnessing new iron curtain(s) as a consequence of the EU’s uninvolvement and lack of interest? The EU must act as a key player in preventing Russia from creating proxy wars in the Western Balkans led by Putin’s men and loyal companions.
09:30 – 10:00 Arrival and registration
10:00 Welcoming remarks
Speakers:
Edina Bećirović, Professor at the Faculty of Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Security
Studies at the University of Sarajevo; Co-founder of Atlantic Initiative – Centre for security
and justice research in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Moderator: Haris Bilalović, editor, BH Radio Television
13:45 – 14:00 Conclusions and recommendations
14:00 – 15:30 Joint lunch & cocktail reception at Spazio Gourmet Sarajevo
Goran Neralić, Head of projects, European Liberal Forum
Adi Škaljić, Executive director, Boris Divković Foundation
10:15 – 11:45 First panel discussion: New European security architecture
Speakers:
Wojciech Przybylski, Political analyst, editor in chief of Visegrad Insight; president of Res
publica Foundation
Peter Bator, Former Slovak Ambassador to NATO; Foreign, Security and Defence policy
expert
Sabina Ćudić, member of parliament Bosnia and Herzegovina; Council of Europe special
rapporteur for Georgia
Moderator: Adnan Huskić, professor at Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, department of
Political Science and International Relations, Holder of “Christian Schwarz Schilling Honorary
Professorship”
11:45 – 12:15 Coffee break
12:15 – 13:45 Second panel discussion: The role of Western Balkans in shaping European security
Speakers:
Aurelie Valtat, European Union Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Harun Karčić, political analyst, journalist & producer, Al Jazeera Balkans