The Leading Foreign Policy and Security Forum in Central Europe GlobsecShaping the2013 Transatlantic Summary Strategic Agenda

18 – 20 April 2013

Summary and Key Speeches

Slovak Atlantic Commission

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1. GLOBSEC 2013 Summary 5

2. Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski 22

3. Opening Speeches by GLOBSEC 2013 co-chairs 27

4. Opening Speech by Prime Minister Robert Fico 30

5. Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Awards 35 at GLOBSEC 2013

6. GLOBSEC Young Leaders’ Forum 2013 37

7. About GLOBSEC 2013 39

8. About the Slovak Atlantic Commission 42 Globsec 2013 Summary

WELCOMING WORDS if a point of balance could not be found between fiscal consolidation and economic growth. More gener­ The conference was formally ally, he said that the EU ran the risk of opened by Ambassador (Ret.) Rasti- losing much of its credibility if it did slav Káčer, President and Chairman not sort out its problems. of the Board of the Slovak Atlantic Commission. Ambassador Káčer Staying with the European Union, then handed the floor to Slovak Mr. Fico raised the matter of the Prime Minister Robert Fico for an in­ Western Balkans and the Eastern troductory address. Partnership. In that context, he said, the goal of European integration re­ The prime minister congratulated mained unaccomplished. The prime GLOBSEC, noting how it had grown minister said he looked forward to over the years into a “major interna­ Croatia joining the EU soon, and tional event in our region”. He de­ others later. His message to them scribed security as the prerequisite was that reforms do “pay off”. As a for stability and economic prospe­ platform within the EU, Prime Minister rity. Having made a brief reference Fico highlighted the Visegrad coun­ to developments in Syria and Korea, tries – Poland, the Czech Republic, Mr. Fico stressed that the key task for Slovakia and Hungary – as a group this part of the world was stabilising that had played a significant role in the European economy and what Central Europe. He looked forward he called the unfinished business of to deepening cooperation between integrating the continent. the four countries. One area where the Visegrad group was attempting Fico: “Today we are provid- to make a difference was in “smart ers rather than consumers defence”. The prime minister noted of security” that he had raised the issue in his speech at the conference last year He reminded the audience that and that progress had indeed been 2013 marked the 20th anniversary made on it since then. of Slovakia’s independence: “We have proved we can manage our Mr. Fico highlighted with pride Slova­ domestic affairs democratically,” he kia’s contribution to ISAF in Afghani­ said. NATO and the EU – Slovakia is a stan, and underlined his commit­ member of both – formed the basis ment to maintaining strong transat­ of security and stability: “Today we lantic cooperation. are providers rather than consumers of security”, he added. The Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Euro­ On the subject of the on-going pean Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák then economic crisis, Prime Minister Fico took the floor. He echoed his prime said Slovakia was working hard to minister’s congratulations to GLOB­ cut debt as a proportion of its gross SEC and to the Slovak Atlantic domestic product to three percent Commission, saying that after eight this year underlining, however, that years of its existence, GLOBSEC had the, “consolidation effort does not surpassed all expectations. Noting end in 2013.” Echoing concerns felt that this year’s conference was also by other Social Democratic lead­ serving as a platform for the foreign ers in Europe, he cautioned about ministers of the Visegrad countries, the dangers of a “lost generation” he then invited Radosław Sikorski,

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foreign minister of Poland to address the conference. MINISTERIAL RE- MARKS: VISEGRAD Mr. Sikorski paid homage to a West­ ern leader who, according to his GOING STRATEGIC words, holds a special place in the hearts of people across the Central The first panel of the conference, and Eastern European region: “Yes­ chaired by Ambassador Káčer, terday in London we were paying re­ brought together the Visegrad foreign spects to a very remarkable woman ministers: Miroslav Lajčák of Slovakia; – Baroness Margaret Thatcher,” he Radosław Sikorski of Poland; Karel said. She was a leader who stood up Schwarzenberg of the Czech Repub­ for Central and Eastern Europe, he lic; and János Martonyi of Hungary. added. Mr. Lajčák remembered aloud the first Sikorski: “We are NATO’s Visegrad meeting in April 1990, which staunchest supporters and he joked was, “the biggest mess I allies,” have ever been in”, adding that, nonetheless, the ideas were there and Noting that, “we are NATO’s staunch­ the goals were there - it took time to est supporters and allies”, Mr. Sikorski define the V4’s raison d’etre. But now, moved to the subject of the Viseg­ “we see more and more reasons and rad 4, now a globally recognisable more and more areas” where coop­ brand, he said. The V4 could soon eration is mutually beneficial, he said. be on a par with Turkey in terms of its economic power. The V4 also had Mr. Lajčák specifically referred to four security interests, he said, adding that areas where the V4 has worked to­ its collective defence spending in gether: 1) Coordination within the EU. 2011 was 13.6 billion euro. Evidence 2) Energy security. 3) Defence coop­ of V4 cooperation on defence could eration. 4) External activities such as be seen through the formation of a the Western Balkans. He also men­ V4 battlegroup - bringing together tioned the utility of the International the resources and expertise of the Visegrad Fund. constituent nations. Broadening his perspective, Mr. Sikorski pointed out Mr. Sikorski stressed the role the V4 how Poland and the other countries had had in winning the argument in in the V4 had stood with their allies in the wider EU for a better coordinated Iraq and Afghanistan. energy policy: “Energy is something that we Central Europeans have won The transatlantic alliance remained the argument over in the EU”. A dec­ the “bedrock of our security”, he ade ago we got strange looks, he stressed. But the EU needed to do said. Now, everyone in the EU under­ more in the security field, he added. stands its importance.

Also, he added, Eastern policy could not be made in the EU without refer­ ence to the V4. “If we do not want something to happen in relation to Ukraine/Belarus, for example, it does not happen,” he said.

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As to the character of the V4, he that he was “convinced” that the described the group’s tendency as negotiations with Croatia could not more free trade, more Atlanticist, and have been completed on time with­ more enlargement-oriented than out the push from Central European some others in the EU. countries.

Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg of the Czech Republic remembered the days when the whole Visegrad idea SESSION 1: ENERGY was founded. We never claimed to represent the whole of Central Eu­ GEOPOLITICS OF rope or the whole of post-communist Europe, he said, adding that, so as CENTRAL EUROPE not to become too top heavy, the group was limited to three and then The next panel, chaired by Edward four (when Czecholsovakia split into Lucas, international editor of The independent nation states). “We are Economist, turned to the question of the happiest divorcees in Europe”, he Energy Geopolitics of Central Europe. said with reference to the split. The panel was composed of Polish Schwarzenberg: “We are Foreign Minister Sikorski; Reka Sze- still, despite the problems, merkenyi, chief advisor on foreign optimistic about the and security in the Office of the Hun­ European Union,” garian Prime Minister; Pawel Olechno- wicz, chairman of the board of Cen­ Mr. Schwarzenberg noted the ex­ tral Europe Energy Partners in Brussels; traordinary successes of the Visegrad and Professor Alan Riley of the City countries since the end of commu­ Law School at City University, London. nism: “We are still, despite the prob­ Edward Lucas repeated and thus lems, optimistic about the European underlined the point made by Minis­ Union,” he said. Minister Schwarzen­ ter Sikorski about Central Europeans berg also reiterated his colleagues’ winning the argument on energy position on the importance of energy geopolitics in the EU. How did we security. get here? he asked.

János Martonyi, foreign minister of Mr. Sikorski noted a perverse reality Hungary, also reminisced on the be­ that helped: “We were helped by ginnings of Visegrad, which took the Russians”, he said. When Russia place amid the early transition from started cutting off energy supplies communism. He said that, soon af­ they made everyone wake up. To­ ter those early days, it became clear day, Poland is investing widely and is that there was real strategic value in doing better at conserving energy, continuing and developing a Viseg­ he added. If Ukraine was as energy rad group built around a very special efficient as the Czech Republic, a history. Turning to the group’s funding useful proxy for the European aver­ arm, the Visegrad Fund, he said: “The age, Ukraine would be self-sufficient fund is functioning very well; it is being in gas. expanded.” Looking back to that period when Referring to the importance of the Russia used energy as a weapon, he V4 in the European Union’s enlarge­ said that because each of the proxi­ ment programme, Mr. Martonyi said mate European markets was small,

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Gazprom could take advantage. more pressure on traditional domes­ There is nothing wrong with Russian tic monopoly companies. If one or gas, he said. There just needs to be two European countries start pro­ a more equitable relationship be­ ducing shale gas, this would have a tween producer and consumer, profound displacement effect. If the adding on the side that Poland also UK started producing shale gas, you has a nuclear programme. can bet that the French shale gas ban will not last long, he added. Ms. Szemerkenyi from Hungary not­ ed that Central and Eastern Europe Edward Lucas, the moderator, of­ had set up what she called a “grand fered a historical perspective, point­ design”; a plan of what the region ing out that if we had had a map really wanted to achieve. What was in 1989-91 it would have shown the lacking initially was a strategic ap­ gas in the East; the consumers in the proach to its implementation. Stabil­ West. Now it is all over the place. ity would be created via “recipro­ cal dependence”. She added that Ms. Szemerkenyi continued by saying Central Europe had been successful that the future of South Stream was in taking the case to Brussels in a co­ going to be dependent on Russian- ordinated and convincing way. Ukrainian relations. One also needed to be aware of developments in the Mr. Olechnowicz joined the debate Balkans: Croatia and energy termi­ by arguing that it was good to speak nals, for example. with one voice to Brussels. Our view is very much to address the issue from the position of a Central European country recognising the need for the GLOBSEC KEYNOTE EU level to engage, he said. With an introduction from Ambas- Riley: “Essentially having sador Martin Bútora, the honorary broken the back of opposi- president of the Bratislava-based tion to liberalisation and Institute for Public Affairs, a keynote attacked anti-competitive speech was then delivered by Dr. practices in Western Eu- Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national rope - the guns of the Com- security advisor to President Jimmy mission turn Eastward.” Carter and one of the world’s most respected political scientists and Prof. Riley suggested that the Rus­ geostrategists. sians think the European Commission is picking on Gazprom. But it is not. Dr. Brzezinski said how much at home The Commission had hit monopoly he felt in Bratislava: a beautiful city companies in Western Europe too. but also a testimony to what can be achieved in the post-communist, Generally, Professor Riley thought it Central-East European region. He re­ was true to say that on energy policy membered being in Bratislava more we have struggled over the last two than two decades ago, sitting down decades but, nonetheless, we are with Václav Havel and having that moving in the right direction. These feeling that something dramatic was days, shale gas is playing a very big happening, as he put it. role in helping to diversify the mar­ ket, which has more and more li­ What can we learn from these 25 quidity, he said. This puts more and years that have transpired? he

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asked. How well or how badly have rope becomes a political entity will its we done? What is Europe’s current political power match its economic challenge? What can Central Euro­ power, he argued. peans contribute? What is America’s role? What is the central mission of For its part, Russia was described as the West today? a confused and nostalgic post-impe­ rial state. Vladimir Putin’s concept of Using the end of the Cold War as a a Eurasian Union was unrealistic and starting point, America did well, said Russia could join with Europe and the Dr. Brzezinski. NATO was expanded, US, but only if it democratises. If Russia even in the face of opposition from decided not to be part of the West, it some in US politics. What would it be still had another option, Dr. Brzezinski like today with Putin’s Russia flexing stressed: “To be a satellite of China”. its muscles against an unprotected Political ridicule was very significant Central Europe? he opined. Subse­ in modern Russia, he said. People quently, America, unfortunately, let are laughing at their elites. This is a itself be drawn into costly ventures in good sign for future democratisation the Middle East: 3 trillion wasted dol­ prospects, as is the reduction in the lars; 35,000 US casualties; US leader­ amount of fear in society. ship delegitimised. Brzezinski: “The shaping of Europe initially also did well, he said. a more vital West is a task A Europe, “whole and free” were the in which Europe has to be watchwords. America and Europe directly engaged.” worked together in the Balkans, and Afghanistan. But, “before long, ma­ He went on to emphasise that it was jor flaws in the European architec­ the shared responsibility of all of us to ture”, became exposed. Today’s EU define the democratic vision of the is more a union of banks than of peo­ West: “The shaping of a more vital ples, said Dr. Brzezinski. West is a task in which Europe has to be directly engaged.” Outlining the historical perspec­ tive, he noted that Central Europe Noting the rise of Asia, Dr. Brzezinski became a region of independent said that the international system as states after 1919; Central Europe’s a whole was being challenged by first 20 years until 1939 were marked changing dynamics. He argued that as much by democratic failure as by despite the traditional theory, it was democratic success. Central Europe not a necessary truth at all that a then fell victim to World War Two and rising China should get into conflict communism. And it was not until af­ with the current declining hegemon, ter 1999 that Central Europe also the United States of America. started doing well. However, the risk now is that people view the EU more Today, in America serious considera­ as a “piggy-bank” than as a locus of tion was being given to the Transat­ shared values. lantic free trade area, he said. This could create increased transatlantic In Europe today there was a dearth bonds that could have major rami­ of global ambition, he averred. That fications for the West’s power in the posed specific challenges for Cen­ world. tral Europe, which needed to assert its democratic entitlement for deci­ sion-making in the EU. Only when Eu­

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SESSION 2: A The second set of problems centred around Europe’s global competitive­ NEW VISION FOR ness. This needed to be addressed. He also called for further harmonisa­ REDESIGNING tion and centralisation. President Ilves EUROPE? said that we needed greater clarity on what we meant by Europe. He Day two of GLOBSEC 2013 kicked called for a moratorium on the much off with a panel discussion on Eu­ overused cliché “more Europe” with­ rope. Moderated by Philip Stephens out a proper definition of what that of the Financial Times, participants term stands for. were invited to mull over the ques­ tion whether there is a new vision for The President went on to note the redesigning Europe. problem of some countries, which take rules of the European game The panellists were Toomas Hendrik Il- more seriously than others, particu­ ves, president of Estonia; Slovak Fore­ larly in terms of spending, deficits and ign Minister Miroslav Lajčák; Maroš borrowing. Šefčovič, vice-president for inter-insti­ tutional relations and administration More broadly, the fact that the Uni­ at the European Commission; Franco ted States was less interested in Eu­ Frattini, president of the Italian Socie­ rope than it used to be “should make ty for International Organisation; and us slap our faces and say: what are Charles Grant of the London-based we going to do?” Soft power was policy institute, the Centre for Euro­ not enough, he said, cautioning pean Reform. that Europe really needed to take its responsibilities for its own defence Philip Stephens, framing the discus­ much more seriously. sion, asked whether Europeans were going to be able to raise their sights Maroš Šefčovič said that even amid above the Eurozone crisis that had the crisis he felt that a common Eu­ consumed the continent in recent ropean vision remained. He praised years. “The existential threat to the the EU for having helped keep the euro we saw last year has gone,” he peace in Europe and reminded the thought, “but the threat within the audience that the EU had received euro to our economies, to our polities the Nobel Peace Prize, and that that is still there.” was well deserved.

Minister Lajčák reacted by saying Mr. Šefčovič said sceptics had under­ that the crisis in Europe had been estimated the resolve of the EU to do exaggerated. He stressed that it was whatever it takes to save the euro primarily a crisis of confidence. The and the overall project. He acknow­ EU had lost the confidence of mar­ ledged that the more integration kets, of people and of ourselves. that goes ahead, the more questions arise about democratic scrutiny. Essentially, there were two sets of problems. First, those that were the Franco Frattini stressed five points result of a lack of consistency – fail­ that need to be considered in the ure to complete the single market, debate. First, the need to be aware properly integrate the Eurozone, or of the progress that had been develop the common foreign and achieved since the signing of the security policy, for example. Treaty of Rome. If any pillar such as

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the euro were to fall, it was likely that been before in the EU. Britain had also the others would fall with it, so one disappeared. needed to be aware what was at stake, he argued. The Commission, though technically stronger, had seen its moral author­ The second issue was that it needed ity and its legitimacy decline in quite to be understood that the EU was a dramatic fashion. The legitimacy mainly a political not an economic problem was that the EU is not greatly project. Therefore, what was now loved by the people who live in Eu­ needed was not a bureaucratic rope and this problem had been inter­vention, but political leadership. exacerbated by the euro crisis, he continued. Third, we need to strike the right bala­ nce between diversity and unity, he “The European Parliament has failed said. More European integration to become an expression of popular should not be seen as being done sentiment in the European Union.” for the sake of Brussels but for the MEPs live in a bubble and are out of citizens. Fourth, we need a more touch with what people think, he said. integrated Europe in the areas dis­ cussed, such as banking and the fis­ In terms of solutions, Germany need­ cal sphere, as well as in foreign and ed to rebalance its economy. Auster­ security policy. Fifthly and finally, a ity needed to be softened. On lead­ common European policy on immi­ ership, France needed to sort out its gration was necessary. economy so that it could reassert a leadership role. Britain needed to Grant: “The medicine that clarify what it wanted, and whether the EU has been applying to it will stay in the EU. The Commission the problem countries is needed a shake-up, he added. The not working.” legitimacy problem could partly be solved through the national parlia­ Charles Grant of the Centre for Euro­ ments which should also play a Euro­ pean Reform outlined what he called pean role. In answer to the question three significant crises that the EU was of whether Britain will still be in the EU confronted by: economic; gover­ in 2020, he gave it a 50-50 chance. nance; and legitimacy. The econom­ ic component of the crisis was simple: “The medicine that the EU has been applying to the problem countries is not working,” he said. “Excessive aus­ terity is leading to shrinking econo­ mies,” he added. The political conse­ quences were very grave, creating a fissure between “Greater Germany” consisting of Germany, the Nether­ lands, Finland and Slovakia – coun­ tries that follow the German eco­ nomic philosophy; and the rest. The governance problem was that the Germans have had a leadership role thrust upon them and they have not necessarily been ready for it. France was weaker now than it had ever

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GLOBSEC CHAT The prime minister specifically refe­ rred to Bosnia, describing it as “dys­ functional”. The region needed to be The next session took the form of an integrated into NATO and the EU and interview conducted by Bratislava- the process should not be allowed to based Pavol Demeš, member of the slow down due to the problems the board of the newly-established Eu­ world was currently experiencing. Mr. ropean Endowment for Democracy Đukanović stressed the importance with Milo Đukanović, prime minister of domestic reforms, particularly in of Montenegro. the domain of the rule of law which served as a pre-requisite for so much Đukanović: “the smooth else. divorce of Czechoslovakia was an inspiration, for us domestically and also for our ability to get support SESSION 3: RE- in the international ENERGIZING EU community”. ENLARGEMENT In referring to the process that led to Montenegrin independence, Prime IN THE WESTERN Minister Đukanović said, “the smooth BALKANS divorce of Czechoslovakia was an in­ spiration, for us domestically and also for our ability to get support in the in­ Picking up on some of the themes ternational community”. raised in the interview with Prime Minister Đukanović, the next session Pavol Demeš raised the question of was entitled, Re-energizing EU en­ Montenegro’s strong international largement in the Western Balkans. image, focusing on the televised advertising campaign on interna­ Moderated by Tim Judah of The tional networks with the slogan, “Wild Economist, the panel included Štefan Beauty”. Could this marketing tool Füle, commissioner for enlargement be widened to the rest of the West­ and European Neighbourhood at ern Balkans? the European Commission in Brussels; Macedonian* Foreign Minister Niko- Mr. Đukanović said that the slogan la Poposki; Deputy Foreign Minister was not chosen accidentally: “We of Kosovo** Petrit Selimi; former Slo­ knew we were outside the tourist vak Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda; map. We knew that tourists were tired and Sonja Licht, founder and presi­ of the typical destinations and that dent of the Belgrade Fund for Politi­ people wanted something new,” he cal Excellence. said. That aside, the Balkans should be sold as part of Europe, he added. Štefan Füle stressed that while peo­ What was necessary was to imple­ ple talk about enlargement fatigue, ment long-term high quality reforms. we need to address the issue of re­ In some parts of Europe there might form fatigue in aspirant states. There be alternatives to Euro-Atlantic inte­ was nothing wrong, he said, with gration, but not in the Balkans, he governments’ stressing their nation­ said. It was very important that the al agenda but that should not be Euro-Atlantic structures helped in the made incompatible with the Euro­ catch-up process. pean agenda.

* The Centre for European Studies, following the EU and UN practice, always uses the provisional reference: the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. ** This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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There was the challenge of econo­ Former Slovak Prime Minister Dzurinda mic governance and how to make it noted that one of the most impor­ relevant and compatible with aspir­ tant competencies of the state was ant countries, said Mr. Füle. The can­ to protect national minorities. We are didate countries are part of this and rich on minorities in this country, in we must prepare them for the EU of Hungary, but also in the Western Bal­ today and the future, not the EU of kans, he said. It was not only neces­ the past, he added. sary to protect the rights of minorities but to be seen as protecting them. Minister Poposki of Macedonia* no­ Perception was as important as ted that when you are a candidate reality. you can do things in terms of reforms that are much harder to do when With this in mind, Mr. Dzurinda said you are a member. Like Prime Min­ that his own experience had taught ister Đukanović before him, Mr. Pop­ him that reform of public administra­ oski also stressed the crucial impor­ tion was particularly important; new tance of the rule of law. Agreeing municipal and regional forms of gov­ with Mr. Füle’s point about an EU in ernment in particular. That said, while flux, Minister Poposki underlined the reforming public administration we notion that the EU prospective mem­ must put an emphasis on individual bers will join a very different EU from rights, he added. that of the recent past. Licht: “I believe that trust That said, he did not believe that an is one of the most impor- EU of more than 30 countries would tant long-term processes be more difficult to govern. Referring that you have to deal to his country’s name dispute with with.” Greece (over the official use of the designation, Macedonia*) he said Ms. Licht continued with saying: “I it was simply not possible to predict believe that trust is one of the most whether it would be resolved or not important long-term processes that in the immediate future. you have to deal with.” Referring to Slovakia’s importance in backing the Kosovo’s** Petrit Selimi also stressed Balkan countries, she said that Slo­ the vital importance of the rule of vakia has played an immense role in law. In Kosovo**, there needed to helping the entire Western Balkans. be a uniform legal system across Without Slovakia we would not have the country. Both Serbs in the North learned what it means to show soli­ and Kosovars** needed to see that darity, she added. The European per­ as a win win situation. The deputy spective was a common denomina­ foreign minister said wryly that Koso­ tor for the entire region. Good news vars** and Serbs had not been doing from Brussels was one thing, but im­ much talking since the end of the Ot­ plementation was key. toman Empire, “so there is plenty of catching up to do,” he said. Enlargement Commissioner Füle said that what happened in terms of Štefan Füle, addressing the vexed acce­ssion or candidate status really question of opening accession ne­ depended less on what happened gotiations while several countries did in Brussels than on what happened in not recognise Kosovo, argued that the countries of the Western Balkans. that that did not block movement at They know what they have to do, he this stage. stressed.

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Mr. Füle continued by saying that it B if things went wrong after the ISAF was necessary to address the ques­ withdrawal. tion of democratic legitimacy before we got to the notion of political un­ Minister Di Paola addressed that ion. He said he preferred the term question by saying that what was “multi-layered” Europe to “variable important was for the people of Af­ geometry”. From his point of view, he ghanistan to have confidence in just wanted whatever it is that comes NATO’s continued support, albeit in up to be enlargement-friendly. a somewhat different guise. On the question of NATO after Afghanistan, Mr. Volker said some could describe the mission, NATO’s biggest ever, as SESSION 4: AFTER at best inconclusive. One also saw ISAF: STILL IN new question marks over US leader­ ship and continuing concerns over BUSINESS? the commitment to defence spend­ ing of the Europeans. The next session was chaired by Kurt Volker, executive director of the Mc- Di Paola: “NATO should Cain Institute for International Leader­ try to be, in defence of ship and the panellists included Gi- its own values, a security ampaolo Di Paola, former defence benchmark organisation in minister of Italy; Hüseyin Diriöz, assis­ a connected world.” tant secretary general for defence policy and planning at NATO; Alex- Minister Di Paola pointed out that for andr Vondra, former Czech defence much of its history, for the first 40 years minister; and Alexis Morel, former in fact, NATO had not been an “op­ policy planning advisor at the French erational” organisation, engaged in Foreign Ministry. conflicts. We therefore did not know where the Alliance was heading. We In the context of ISAF’s impending de­ must keep an open mind and be pre­ parture from Afghanistan in 2014, Mr. pared to re-think things. Vondra said that assessing what we have achieved in Afghanistan need­ Ambassador Volker picked up on ed to be looked at from a distance these points arguing that even if NATO and with more than a whole decade had not been “operational” in its first in mind. When we look at where Af­ 40 years, it did know what its mission ghanistan was at the beginning - very was: to protect the Free World from significant progress has been made, the Soviet threat. But, what’s NATO’s he said. Al-Qaeda’s presence in the mission now? country has been very greatly re­ duced. The operation has also made Alexandr Vondra said that, in fact, the NATO soldiers, such as the Czechs, mission now was similar to what it al­ much more battle-hardened, hav­ ways had been, to defend the secu­ ing seen action in a conflict environ­ rity interests of the member states. Mr. ment. “I think we have to be realistic. Diriöz said, in response to the question We should not fall into a pessimistic of what NATO’s mission was, “We had mood,” he said in reflecting on the similar questions after the Cold War”. operation as a whole. But defence and defence planning was effectively an insurance policy: Ambassador Volker then raised the “If it doesn’t rain, you don’t throw question of whether there was a plan away your umbrella,” he stressed.

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On Afghanistan, Mr. Diriöz said that it GLOBSEC CHAT: had always been important for NATO that the people of Afghanistan did FROM PYONGYANG not have a sense of abandonment after ISAF left. That was why the train­ TO DAMASCUS: ing and support roles of NATO in Af­ GLOBAL ghanistan would continue even after ISAF leaves. PROLIFERATION

Ambassador Volker noted that CHALLENGES France had fully re-integrated itself into NATO in 2009. Four years on, was The second interview-format session the organisation they re-joined the of the conference was moderated one they thought it was going to be? by Jozef Bátora, associate profesor at the Institute of European Studies In response to his question, Mr. Morel and International Relations at Bra­ of the French foreign ministry recalled tislava’s prestigious Comenius Uni­ that when President Sarkozy took the versity. His counterpart was Thomas decision to go back into the inte­ Countryman, assistant secretary for grated military command of NATO, international security and non-pro­ France knew it would be joining a liferation at the U.S. Department of “new NATO”. When the new govern­ State. ment of Francois Hollande came to power it supported and confirmed Mr. Countryman started off the ses­ all the moves regarding NATO previ­ sion by emphasizing that we have a ously made by the Sarkozy adminis­ common interest not only in meeting tration. In terms of Afghanistan, Mr. the challenges in the Euro-Atlantic Morel reminded everyone that we domain, but that there was also a have known for a long time about need to look globally. Getting this the pullout from the country and that right required hard, detailed work in the issues raised were therefore not the field. The US had no greater ally new. than the EU, he stressed.

In terms of NATO, what was in fact Turning to the non-proliferation trea­ more urgent was to stop European ty (NPT), he said that it was based on countries from further slashing their a clear bargain among states: those defence expenditures by using states that possess nuclear weapons the pull-out for yet another peace would reduce them and not spread dividend. them; and those which did not have them would not try to acquire them. Civil nuclear power for legitimate purposes was quite acceptable.

President Obama stated that the ultimate aim of ridding the word of nuclear weapons was difficult but achievable, said Mr. Countryman. Of course, the “non-performance of Iran” in terms of the NPT and also the threats posed by North Korea were deeply problematic. We have not yet delivered on a promise to cre­

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ate a nuclear free zone in the Mid­ Having said all that, it was important dle East, but the opportunity was still not to take one’s eye off the ball in there, he argued. terms of conventional weapons.

Countryman on North America viewed the new conven­ Korea: “We remain resolute tional weapons treaty as a way of in our ability and our de- establishing trade standards, among termination to defend our other things. That treaty meant that allies in East Asia as well all states should have a regulatory sys­ as to defend ourselves, but tem similar to that of the US or many otherwise we are deter- European countries. We must not ig­ mined also not to over-re- nore issues such as grey markets and act to this kind of rheto- black markets over weapons being ric.” sold to regimes or groups that violate human rights, he averred. In the case of North Korea the explo­ sion of a third nuclear device added heat to the rhetoric from Pyongyang. We will defend our allies in Asia, but SESSION 5: we will not over-react to rhetoric, said VISEGRAD DEFENCE Mr. Countryman. On Iran, America remained frustrated and disappoint­ COOPERATION: ed by what is going on. But the will of the international community had at FROM THEORY TO least brought Iran to the negotiating PRACTICE table, even if the negotiations have not so far borne fruit, he added. Eve­ ryone hopes, he suggested, that di­ The final session of the day ad­ plomacy and sanctions would work. dressed the question of Visegrad de­ But the window could not remain fence cooperation and was chaired open forever. by Brooks Tigner, EU/NATO affairs correspondent, IHS Jane’s Defence On Syria, there was a genuine risk that Weekly. The participants were Karin as the conflict intensified the regime Enström, Sweden’s defence minister; would lose the firm control it currently Jiří Šedivý, the Czech permanent rep­ has over its chemical weapons. resentative to NATO; Tomáš Valášek, the Slovak permanent representative Asked by Professor Bátora what kept to NATO; and Marcin Zaborowski, di­ him up at night, he said that the threat rector of the Polish Institute of Inter­ of an all-out nuclear war between national Affairs. the US and another power was now almost 60 years distant but that there The discussion was kicked off by Mr. were serious concerns over terrorism Tigner with reference to the V4 Battle­ and unsecure, loose nukes. group. He then widened it by asking the panellists to draw comparisons Assistant Secretary Countryman with the Nordic countries who have raised the problem of small groups of also been working closely together well-educated, well-trained individu­ on defence matters. als and relatively cheap equipment potentially developing pathogenic organisms for biological warfare.

Summary and Key Speeches | 16 Globsec 2013 Summary

Enström: “in just a few not overstate the importance of the years we have made much battlegroup. “It is just a battlegroup,” progress and moved from he said. “The Visegrad 4 group is very theory to practice”. heterogeneous in many respects,” he added. One of the main lessons Minister Enström from Sweden said we should learn from the Nordic that, “in just a few years we have example is: “It is a marathon, not a made much progress and moved sprint”. from theory to practice”. Cross-bor­ der training involved fighter jets in Marcin Zaborowski said pooling and weekly exercises. There is coastal co­ sharing should not be used as an ex­ operation around the Baltic Sea, and cuse for defence cuts. Poland would much else besides. It had all been not be interested in that kind of pool­ based on the belief that much was ing and sharing. He said that for Po­ gained through cost and capability land the battlegroup was a test case sharing, shared values, history and which had to work, otherwise the interests. The countries firmly believe V4’s biggest member might simply they can enhance the so-called Nor­ lose interest in the whole concept. dic values by working together. That is why NORDEFCO was set up, she said. A third party cooperation was also possible but on a case by case GLOBSEC DEBATE: basis. SECURING THE Slovakia’s Tomáš Valášek said that HOMELAND we were at a delicate stage right now in terms of V4 cooperation. De­ The final day of GLOBSEC 2013 fence collaboration takes time in any opened with a debate on the sub­ case, he suggested. But there were ject of homeland security between also other reasons why things are Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, lagging behind the kind of sched­ a senior British representative to busi­ ule many would have hoped for. ness on cyber security and former For example, procurement which in minister of state for security, and principle sounds sensible and easy, Mary Ellen Callahan, former chief pri­ was very difficult in practice. The big vacy officer at the U.S. Department difficulties arose in terms of timings, of Homeland Security. The discussion specifications and so on. was moderated by Judy Dempsey, senior associate and editor in chief “The compromises required to make of Strategic Europe at Carnegie defence cooperation work are often Europe. too politically costly,” he said, adding that meeting that challenge would Mary Ellen Callahan opened by stat­ go a long way to improving the out­ ing that homeland security had five look for enhanced cooperation. missions: 1. Preventing terrorism. 2. Controlling and defending borders. What will the Battlegroup do when it is 3. Administrating immigration. 4. Cy­ ready in 2016? asked the moderator. ber security. 5. Resilience: Boston Mr. Šedivý said in response: “We are [the conference took place in the indeed looking beyond 2016… we aftermath of the terror attack at the see it as a springboard” for other Boston Marathon] showed a great projects. Nonetheless, one should example this week, she said, as the

17 | Summary and Key Speeches Globsec 2013 Summary

community worked with law en­ The manifold complexities of home­ forcement and local people helping land security were pointed out by identify the bombers. This could not Baroness Neville-Jones in the British have existed 12-13 years ago. case in terms of immigrants coming from places such as Kashmir, some of Pauline Neville-Jones stressed that whom tend to import their grievances we live in a very different world from their home countries. We worry from the Cold War, where there was about two kinds of terrorism: Islamist – a very strong sense of solidarity at with bombs; and right-wing terrorism – home. The present situation doesn’t with guns, she said. engender a fear of warfare touch­ ing our soil, but we are increasingly Part of the process of de-radicalisa­ worried about the solidarity of our tion was to re-implant values such as domestic society, the institutions of respect and support for democracy. state and so on, she said. As in the Extremists seek to draw people into a US, she added, all our institutions place where rejection of democracy such as policing and border control is going to flourish. are slightly different now. We have also had to build and re-invent our Cyber security was a continuous state structures, the Baroness added. threat and it is getting bigger, she said. Some of the most valuable intel­ The British policy has been summa­ lectual property a country possesses rised in terms of the four Ps: Prevent, is in SMEs and start-ups. So, she said, it Pursue, Protect, Prepare. Border needs to cascade all the way down control, for example, now began at in terms of our strategy. the start of the journey, not at the end. We need to know who is on the Ms. Callahan outlined three different plane before they get to our shores, types of threats: 1) APT: advanced she said. persistent threats – organised threats from nation states, perhaps China Ms. Callahan said that there had or Iran. 2) Organised cyber crime – been an effort in America to reach wholesale theft of financial informa­ out to disenfranchised sections of so­ tion for example. 3) The individual ciety. The nexus between civil rights threat – activists with political inten­ and counter-terrorism was crucial tions, (but this could also include but difficult. Referring to the legacy disgruntled employees). Businesses of the last decade, she said that we needed to know about these differ­ have to regain the trust of the Ameri­ ent types of threat, she said. can people and the Europeans. The distrust of the United States was Answering a question from the audi­ palpable. ence about the division of roles be­ tween police and the military, Baron­ Neville-Jones: “We ess Pauline Neville-Jones wondered worry about two kinds aloud whether if Britain was to re-eval­ of terrorism: Islamic uate the character of its engagement terrorism, but also right- in Northern Ireland, the country would wing terrorism. The first still use the army rather than shifting associates with bombs and the emphasis to policing, albeit with the second usually with back-up form the army. That said, the guns.” police would not want to be dealing with chemical or nuclear weapons.

Summary and Key Speeches | 18 Globsec 2013 Summary

Maritime surveillance, as another ex­ and education. The single market ample, was clearly a military function. needed to be completed. A world­ wide free trade needed to be ad­ dressed. We do not have one single labour market. We have to take care GLOBSEC INSIGHT: of the issue of social cohesion, he THE EU ECONOMY said. POST-CRISIS: STILL A Europe is not acting as one single force in very important domains, MAJOR PLAYER? aside from trade, said Mr. Leterme. Now, Europe makes up about 22 per­ The penultimate session of this year’s cent of world GDP, but in 20 years GLOBSEC conference took the form that will drop dramatically, mean­ of an interview with Philip Stephens while China will rise, he said. of the Financial Times and Yves Leterme, deputy secretary general Stephens asked a question he had of the OECD. raised in a previous panel: Will the politics allow the economics to work? Leterme on May 2008 Coun- Austerity is getting very unpopular in cil meeting: “We were sit- Southern Europe, he said. Mr. Leterme ting there together on a argued that there was no alternative, Friday afternoon, a very but that it was not surprising that pop­ sunny Friday afternoon, ulism, which often shows itself at times and we decided to do of economic crisis, was on the rise. It whatever was needed, what- was important to remind voters of the ever is needed to defend successes of Europe, he said. the Euro.”

Mr. Leterme, said it was not so surpris­ ing that there were problems in the SESSION 6: IN NEED Eurozone. There are the two issues of OF A COMPASS? the sovereign debt crisis and the cri­ sis of competitiveness. He noted the THE NEW MIDDLE continuing crises in Cyprus, and also the matter of Slovenia as problems. EAST AND NORTH But, he added, there were also some AFRICA positive signs in terms of the banking union: “We are step by step coming out of a very difficult situation”, he The final panel discussion of GLOB­ thought. SEC 2013 turned to the MidEast and its relationship with the European Mr. Stephens talked of a half-built Union. The panel, moderated by Da- monetary union, and Mr. Leterme mon Wilson, executive vice-president agreed that a banking union was the of the Atlantic Council, consisted of only viable solution. Carnegie Visiting Scholar Ambassa- dor Marc Pierini; Najib Ghadbian, Sy­ The OECD deputy secretary gen­ rian opposition representative to the eral suggested that European Union U.S.; and Tarek Osman, author and economies really needed structural political counsellor for the Southern reforms. We need to do more about and Eastern Mediterranean at the research and development, he said, EBRD in London.

19 | Summary and Key Speeches Globsec 2013 Summary

Ambassador Pierini described the East, he said. Also disagreeing with situation in the MidEast today as “a Amb. Pierini, he said that in the past lesson in modesty”. Even today we we emphasised stability over demo­ are not sure what is happening, he cracy. That led to cynicism about the said. Elections had brought to power US and Europe, especially among governments which, some say, are the young. But of course, the process as authoritarian as the ones they of change would inevitably be long replaced. and difficult.

Continuing in the same vein, he said In Syria, Assad passed power on to that in Egypt you have a new NGO his son, he said, and the West bless­ law on the table which seems to be ed that. That was because they were at least as tough as the one used by looking at the issue through the prism Mubarak. Torture remained a prob­ of stability. What was important was lem. Dissent was not taken into ac­ that we in the West remained sup­ count. We could be heading towards portive of the process and demand­ majoritarian democracy, which is not ed elections and respect for rights, how we understand democracy in he stressed. the West, he said.

Tarek Osman continued by saying Ghadbian: “We should ac- that there was a focus in Europe on cept that the transition the political transition, especially, had begun in Syria. And it is which he described as important. But important to look at Syria the social dimension needed to be as a continuation of the understood too. Demographics were Arab Spring.” key. Egypt doubled its population in 40 years or so, he stressed. The demo­ In Syria, the people of Syria wanted graphic shift had been very heavily change and would not accept any weighted towards young people. But role for the current regime. If you if you have 45 million people under want to help Syria, help topple this re­ 25, he argued, they may not relate to gime as quickly as possible, said Mr. the kind of social contract that was in Ghadbian. place before. Seeking to address the comments of What can Europe do? The only pillar his colleagues on the panel, Amb. the international stakeholders can Pierini acknowledged that free elec­ bet on is institutions – that there will tions were of course new and that be consistent elections, that there they were crucial. He also accepted will be a functioning civil society, he that the EU and US had a credibility argued. deficit because they had sided with the previous regimes. However, the Mr. Osman did not agree with Amb. debate about liberalism in these so­ Pierini’s characterisation of the situ­ cieties was not with the West, it was ation in the region as being as bad with the people inside these societies now as it was under the previous that do not vote for liberal parties. regimes. Russia and Iran were supplying the Najib Ghadbian said that the change Syrian regime with weapons, he that took place in the Arab world added. That meant that the Assad was positive. We need to reconsider regime could keep bombarding our paradigm with regard to the Mid­ people. Also, the best financed mili­

Summary and Key Speeches | 20 Globsec 2013 Summary

tias were the most radical. So, there bilateral and multilateral meetings, was a major dilemma on how to act. GLOBSEC brought together policy- Who do you supply? How do you makers, experts, scholars and busi­ train people? How do you monitor nessmen to discuss issues crucial to them? These are the problems over international security. And with that, Syria for the West. the Secretary General concluded the GLOBSEC Bratislava Global Secu­ Tarek Osman offered a scenario for rity Forum of 2013. consideration in which politics would fragment in such a way that Islam­ ists did not look as dominant as they may now appear to be.

CLOSING REMARKS

In his closing remarks, the Secretary General of the Slovak Atlantic Com­ mission, Róbert Vass, congratulated the young team of over 80 devoted professionals for putting together what was the biggest GLOBSEC as of yet - with unprecedented 1140 registered participants and over 110 speakers from 62 countries. Continu­ ing with this year´s statistics, he said that records were broken on other fronts as well, such as media cover­ age - with over 130 journalists in at­ tendance and producing 100s of tweets and other online media out­ comes. Having facilitated over 150

21 | Summary and Key Speeches Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski

Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski new Central Europe - this being as­ Former National Security Advisor to sociated with a sense of fulfillment the U.S. President Jimmy Carter that makes life meaningful.

Today, I would like to take advantage Ladies and Gentlemen, of this opportunity to look together with you at some questions which What can one say after an introduc­ may be pertinent. First, and perhaps tion like this. In fact, it is hard to simply more easily, what can we learn from say thank you because it would be these twenty-five years that have inadequate and impolite to ques­ transpired from those exuberant ex­ tion the overall adjectives and judg­ hilarating days? To be more specific, ments. So one can only express ones and perhaps a little bit troubling, how appreciation for having friends like well or how badly have we done in you. Mr. Ambassador Martin Bútora the course of these twenty-five years? and your wife, Ambassador Rastislav What is Europe’s current challenge in Káčer, people who have been in that context? What can the Central the front lines, who have been strug­ Europeans contribute and beyond gling to make this country and this that what is America’s role and what region more important, more pro­ it ought to be? Indeed, at this stage ductive, more self-fulfilling. And it is of history I think it is noteworthy to ask, engaging in this kind of activity that what is the central mission of the West is a source of enormous satisfaction. in the world today?

I feel very much at home here in Bra­ In response to the successful conclu­ tislava. It is not only a beautiful Euro­ sion of the Cold War, I think it is fair pean city but it is also a testimony to to say that initially America did well. what this region and these people NATO was expanded - even despite can be, what they wish to be. It is opposition within the US government a source of satisfaction to me that itself. I remember those days and in some small degree, I was a par­ those debates and I simply ask my­ ticipant in the events that have so self what would be the situation to­ transformed and are transforming day if Central Europe had remained this region. I remember being here excluded from NATO? As some have some twenty years ago, I remember argued that it should be excluded for walking down the main streets just the sake of good relations with Russia. a few blocks from here and sitting What would it be like today with Pu­ down in a café with Václav Havel tin’s Russia flexing its weakened mus­ and having a beer. And I particu­ cles? As we all know, fences make for larly remember this kind of exuber­ far better neighbors. A new world or­ ant feeling that something terribly der seemed to be in the making, with important is happening. And that America - the world’s only truly global something terribly satisfying has just superpower - poised then to shape happened. a more stable and more fair world order. It has been nice to see here some of the people who were then involved That was almost twenty-five years in that and it is also nice to see here ago. But unfortunately America soon some people who were not central let itself be drawn into the Middle at the time, but who have become East’s vortex of conflicts and animosi­ leaders in the subsequent decades ties. The falsely justified war in Iraq and are shaping a new Europe, a entailed enormous costs for America

Summary and Key Speeches | 22 Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski

both tangible and moral. Three tril­ bling equivalent of Las Vegas and lion wasted dollars, which deepened with many Europeans inspired less by our financial crisis. Thirty-five thou­ a shared European sentiment but en­ sand American casualties, killed and ticed more by prospective subsidies. wounded - US moral political leader­ ship delegitimized in many parts of A largely financial union of nation the world, its international standing states lacks the popular commitment and influence considerably down. of genuinely European patriotism. Eu­ Just think of the recent vote in the UN rope’s lack of global ambitions makes regarding Palestinian membership for excessive reliance on America in the UN. The United States organ­ and makes the American public ized a worldwide diplomatic effort to more skeptical of Europe. Once the prevent that from happening. And center of global innovation and eco­ out of 190 countries it gained seven nomic dynamism, today Europe lacks supporters. The war in Iraq, moreo­ behind not only America, but also ver, prolonged the war in Afghani­ Asia. The absence of a wider vision stan. There was a disappointing lack of Europe’s global role - not to men­ of commitment during that time to tion the widely shared European view peace between Israel and Palestine. that assuring global security is largely And today, America may be facing an American obligation - intensifies the possibility of a new regional war, narrow aspirations for privileged sta­ because of the crisis in Syria or pos­ tus for some states, and complacent sibly next year - Iran. And that war expectations by self-indulging states would be another regional calamity of generous bailouts from the more for it would not be contained just to disciplined members of the Union. Iran and America would be entirely alone in it. And what can we say, quite frankly, about Central Europe in that wider Initially, Europe also did well twenty- context? Central Europe became a five years ago - its mood being one region of independent states largely of hope, optimism, and exultation. after 1919. The child of Wilsonian dem­ “Whole and free” became the endur­ ocratic optimism - central Europe’s ing reality with NATO expanded and first twenty years until 1939 - were un­ the formation of the European Union- fortunately marked as much by dem­ a historic landmark in the long fate ocratic failure as by democratic suc­ of this continent. Moreover, America cess. Including, in some cases, even and Europe responded together to presidential and royal assassinations, the crisis in the Balkans. And Europe coups, flirtations with fascism and stood by America in Afghanistan. anti- Semitism, intensifying national­ isms and border disputes. Central Unfortunately, before long major Europe then fell victim to World War flaws in the European architecture II and Soviet domination. It regained surfaced. They were compounded its identity and freedom only after fifty by the financial crisis that exploded long years. on both sides of the Atlantic. Europe’s main problem is that today’s Europe­ But, after 1990, at first, Central Europe an Union is a Europe more of banks also did well. Democracy, member­ than of people, more an economic ship in NATO and the EU, defined its convenience than an emotional new more hopeful era. The peace­ commitment of the European peo­ ful transformation of Czechoslova­ ples. With the UK, for example, reserv­ kia into two states was a model of ing special rights for its global gam­ democratic maturity. And growing

23 | Summary and Key Speeches Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski

regional cooperation became evi­ historical judgments. It is our shared dent. We talked today about Viseg­ responsibility - of all Europeans and rad and the important and construc­ Americans - to define collectively the tive role that it is increasingly playing challenging relevance of the West’s within the European constellation. democratic tradition to the dilem­ The Baltic region has a sense of com­ mas of the increasingly turbulent 21st mon interest and security Nordefco century world. It is nothing less than in Scandinavia is a source of grow­ to formulate a shared strategic vision ing security cooperation that is of of the future, which over time can importance to Central Europe. All of generate deeper and more organic that increases the regions European American-European ties. weight. But of course one also has to note troubling signs in some cases of The shaping of a more vital West is a lack of respect for the European Un­ task in which Europe has to be direct­ ion’s commitment to constitutional­ ly engaged. Europe needs leaders ism, some signals of intolerant nation­ who can personalize and dramatize alism, an inclination to view the Eu­ the historic mission of a more united ropean Union more as a piggy-bank Europe in closer intimacy with Amer­ than as a source of shared suprana­ ica. In Western Europe today there tional identity and common values. is a dearth of historical imagination and of global ambition. There is no Central Europe also faces special se­ Churchill, nor De Gaulle, nor Ade­ curity vulnerability. Its neighbor to the nauer. Current political discourse is East is a large post-imperial state pro­ dominated by narrower perspectives foundly confused by its own illusions and by the more immediate preoc­ and nostalgias and with its leadership cupations of their constituents. But still yearning for superpower status in the process the inspirational vision and subordination of its former prov­ that is expected of democratic lead­ inces, especially Ukraine and Belarus ers is absent. - and possibly Georgia. Actually Rus­ sia’s current threat to Central Europe That troubling reality poses specific is not primarily military. Rather it is sub­ challenges for Central Europe. I see version of some Central European leaders of Central Europe in this room elites by billionaires from the former who are eminently qualified to be “big brother” and internal contami­ leaders of Europe as a whole. And nation by the pervasive corruption who are sensitive to these challeng­ emanating from the immediate East. es. Central Europe needs to assert its This, in turn, facilitates intensified po­ democratic entitlement to a greater litical intimidation. Indeed, for exam­ share of the top decision-making po­ ple, Georgia’s subordination would sitions in the European Union - driven also give Moscow effective political by the conviction that it will be truly control over the Bacu Ceyhan pipe­ geostrategically secure only when line and thus vastly increase Europe’s Europe becomes a genuine political dependence. Cumulatively, that entity; when Europe’s political institu­ would pose a real threat to Central tions match its economic financial Europe’s regained independence. ones; when America and Europe are America thus needs to be visibly pre­ more organically linked across the sent politically and militarily in this im­ Atlantic Ocean both by NATO and portant region. by a free trade agreement; when Europe acts on its own interest to em­ But more than that is needed from brace Turkey; and when eventually all of us. If we are to be fair in our Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia recog­

Summary and Key Speeches | 24 Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski

nize what their real long-term histori­ cally, we also cannot be indifferent cal interests actually are. to the vulnerability of the new Asia to a variety of geopolitical, ethnic, Let me put the forgoing in a larger national and territorial conflicts. They global context. Alas, today to in­ potentially pose the risk that Asia in creasingly many - especially in Eu­ the 21st century could even repli­ rope - Oswald Spengler’s book “The cate internally the sad experience Decline of the West”, seems to be a of Europe during the 20th century. At farsighted anticipation of historical the same time, the combination of trends. During these last twenty-five chaos, religious fanaticism and the years, the world has changed dra­ growing danger that the technologi­ matically. Though still the sole super­ cal capacity for waging, what I call, power, the United States is increas­ anonymous wars without warning - ingly challenged by a rising China. and even without knowledge as to Europe is being surpassed economi­ who is actually waging these wars (I cally by Asia. Russia is wobbly drifting speak in particular of cyber warfare) between its illusions and nostalgia. - poses potentially enormous risks for the essence of the West itself, namely The international system as a whole its democracy. is being challenged by geopolitically transforming dynamics. Larger units Fortunately, however, countervailing of transnational cooperation are be­ dynamics are also beginning to sur­ coming a security imperative. Coop­ face. Today in America serious con­ eration between them is essential to sideration is being given to a North avoid global turmoil within the now Atlantic free trade area embracing politically awakened, restless and North America and Europe. There is fragmented humanity. Unlike the enormous promise in that concept 20th century when a single ambitious even though one must not minimize power could still seek to become a the complex obstacles on the way to global hegemon, in today’s political­ its achievement. It will take a number ly activated, interconnected, and of years, perhaps a decade or so, to increasingly crowded world coer­ bring it into reality, but a shared com­ cive hegemony by single power is no mitment to that goal will also have as longer attainable. The new reality of of itself important political effects. globally politically awakened pop­ Eventually, it can create additional ulism, and of the existence of nuclear transatlantic bonds that will dramati­ weapons have made a central war cally alter the geopolitical realities of into a suicidal luxury that even the the world as a whole. It can shape most powerful state can no longer a new balance between the Atlan­ afford. In the 21st century the central tic and the Pacific Oceanic regions, threat is not a tyrannical hegemony while at the same time generating in but the tyranny of global chaos. the West new vitality, more security and greater cohesion. In that setting, there is the real risk - not yet dominant, not yet fully visible, but Such a more vital West will then be increasingly looming on the horizon a source of increasing attraction - that the 21stcentury could turn out also to Europe’s East. By then, Russia to be even more turbulent than the most likely will already be painfully 20th. The staggering indebtedness aware that Putin’s concept of a Eur­ of the Western economy is threaten­ asian Union is altogether unrealistic. ing the appeal of Western democ­ Squeezed between a dramatically racy. Though China is rising dramati­ developing China in the East and

25 | Summary and Key Speeches Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski

facing a vital Atlantic community in the West, the choice for Moscow should then be obvious. It should seek to join an enterprise to which in terms of cultural antecedents Russia is eminently qualified to be a mem­ ber. But that can only happen if Rus­ sia itself in the meantime undertakes democratization in keeping with the gradual emergence of its new mid­ dle class, a class which is becom­ ing much more internationalist and cosmopolitan in its outlook and also more European in its tastes and as­ pirations. I am a cautious optimist in that respect.

So to conclude the historical confron­ tation between rising dangers and longer-range opportunities under­ scores the special burden that rests on the West. Simply put, it imposes a special obligation on all Europeans and Americans to demonstrate, by their own decisions and actions, that the West has a relevant message for humanity’s self-governance. The world urgently needs such a more vi­ tal West and together I am sure we can do it. Thank You.

Summary and Key Speeches | 26 Opening Speeches by GLOBSEC 2013 co-chairs

H. E. Miroslav Lajčák security and foreign policy Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of platform where high-level Foreign and European Affairs of the foreign policy is made.“ Slovak Republic I am proud that right from the very beginning, the Ministry of Foreign Af­ Excellences, fairs of the Slovak Republic has been Ladies and Gentlemen, a part of it – I perfectly remember the first GLOBSEC, held as a student initia­ It is great to see you all here in Bra­ tive at the congress room of our Min­ tislava. GLOBSEC has become an istry. Although the tradition is still here, exceptional forum annually bringing I dare to say that today it is a com­ key policy makers, experts, business­ pletely different story – after eight men and journalists to Central Europe. years of its existence, GLOBSEC has I am pleased to stand here today as become a Forum that has outlived the co-Chair of one of the top five se­ all expectations as well as traditional curity and foreign policy forums in the Central European themes and be­ world. A Forum that has managed to came a one-of-a-kind security and aggregate over 700 guests from over foreign policy platform where high- 60 countries who will discuss burning level foreign policy is made. matters of international politics on po­ diums as well as behind the scenes. The fact is, that GLOBSEC has walked a long way in a short time. Today, we This takes more than skills – you need are at this beautiful venue, together vision, dedication and persistence with hundreds of distinguished guests to succeed. Let me therefore use at an event that includes dozens of this opportunity to express my great side meetings and policy sessions. The respect to you Ambassador Káčer programme is indeed full of interesting and especially to your young team sessions, but I particularly appreciate at the Slovak Atlantic Commission for the regional dimension of the Forum the excellent work you do year after – GLOBSEC is after all also about am­ year. Being a veteran of GLOBSEC, plifying the voice of Central Europe. I must say that the Slovak Atlantic I am glad that it has become a tra­ Commission – its resolve, creativity ditional platform for metings of V4‘s and ability to reinvent itself – never ministers of foreign affairs and that it stops surprising me. Over the past provides an ideal opportunity to pre­ eight years, the Slovak Atlantic Com­ sent our Central European perspec­ mission managed to transform itself tives in debates with our partners. from a student organisation to one of the forefront NGOs in the region – ex­ Ladies and Gentlemen, celling in not only high-profile events To conclude, let me wish you a lot of such as GLOBSEC, but also in transfer­ vibrant and fruitful debates with out­ ring know how, policy-shaping and comes that will be transformed into foreign policy analysis. real policies. I wish GLOBSEC discus­ sions will inspire you even long after Lajčák: “After eight years you return back home from Slovakia. of its existence, GLOBSEC I thank you for your attention. has become a Forum that has outlived all expecta- tions as well as traditional Central European themes and became a one-of-a-kind

27 | Summary and Key Speeches Opening Speeches by GLOBSEC 2013 co-chairs

With the formation of the Visegrad H.E. Radoslaw Sikorski Group, not only did we set up a per­ Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Re- manent cooperation mechanism, but public of Poland we also created the platform, which allows us to build and promote a globally recognizable V4 brand. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, all of our countries share the yesterday in London we were pay­ experience of a successful transfor­ ing respects to a very remarkable mation. By 2017 it is estimated our col­ woman, Baroness Margaret Thatch­ lective GDP will surpass 1.1 trillion US er, whom here in Central Europe we dollars, an increase of 26 % on 2010, remember perhaps sometimes more which is “something“ in today’s con­ fondly then some people do in her ditions. Which is to say that the V4 own country. That is because we re­ would be on a par with Turkey – a rec­ member that she had the courage ognized great power in its region and to name a spade a spade, when we one of the fastest growing economies were being oppressed. in the world. And we remain a para­ gon of a peaceful transition to those In 1982, for example, under an initia­ who are going through transitions tive together with President Ronald without peace. And we believe we Reagan called “Let Poland be Po­ have lessons to offer. land”, she said that Poles “have re­ minded us in the West of the precious Sikorski: “And the V4 has quality of our own freedom. They, become not only about our who know what it is like to live without shared history and com- it.” Indeed, we knew what it was like mon values. We now have to live without it and we still know it. real interests in common.“

And that is why the moment commu­ And the V4 has become not only nism crumbled and free and fair elec­ about our shared history and common tions could take place in our countries, values. We now have real interests in all of us strove to join the European common of which later on I hope we communities and the North Atlantic will speak about in our panel. Alliance. Structures that for decades were out of our reach against our will. We also have security interests. In 2011 our common military expeditors to­ Today, with security still being one of taled 13.6 billion dollars, which is also our primordial concerns we are NA­ something. Poland’s military budget TO‘s staunchest advocates and allies. has just exceeded that of Spain. And Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, who is with us we are one of the very few NATO today and whom I warmly welcome, countries that has increased military delivered a lecture back in May 1989 spending during the crisis. in which he warned of the vacuum that countries, which today make up The creation of a Visegrad EU Battle­ the Visegrad Group, may find them­ group group, demonstrates the V4’s selves in. And he advised stronger co­ strengths and the willingness to coop­ operation among Central European erate in the field of common security countries as a solution. We heeded his and defense policy. advice even though the vacuum did not materialize. Our readiness to fulfill political and moral commitments that stand from

Summary and Key Speeches | 28 Opening Speeches by GLOBSEC 2013 co-chairs

our NATO membership has already been tested. We stood with our allies in the difficult missions in Iraq and Af­ ghanistan. The North Atlantic Alliance remains the bedrock of our security, but we are also determined to devel­ op defense policy mechanisms within the European Union. And in doing so we should be guided by the notion of smart defense. Together with the other V4 countries and the French President and the German Chancel­ lor we recently discussed the issue in Warsaw on March the 6th. And we intend to go along with that initiative, to develop it.

I am very glad that GLOBSEC is get­ ting bigger and bigger. I would like to thank our Slovak hosts - we are proud to be associated and I hope for a great conference. Thank You!

29 | Summary and Key Speeches Opening Speech by Prime Minister Robert Fico

H. E. Robert Fico tinent – both in terms of making the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic integration larger and deeper. I am glad that the organisers correctly re­ flected this also in the programme. Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen, Fico: “in the Transatlantic area we have achieved the I have accepted with pleasure the highest standard of secu- opportunity to make an opening ad­ rity and so we can focus dress at the GLOBSEC Forum, again our time and energy to en- after one year. hance our economic stabil- ity and prosperity.” The programme of GLOBSEC is now­ adays much wider. GLOBSEC has A year ago, just a few days after the grown to a major international event new Slovak Government was cre­ in our region covering all spheres of ated, I spoke from this place about international relations. Let me con­ the foreign and security policy priori­ gratulate and thank the organisers ties of the new Slovak government. for achieving such a high status of Looking back, I can say with satisfac­ our conference. It attracts attention tion that our foreign policy has been of our partners to Slovakia and stress­ clear, focused and - as I promised es its active role at the international then - mature and responsible in pur­ scene, what I am - as Prime Minister suing our interests. - proud of. Ladies and Gentlemen, Security represented the basis for Slovakia commemorates the 20th your deliberations in the past years anniversary of its independent state­ and rightly so. Security is the key pre­ hood this year. Let me make a short requisite for positive development in remark on this occasion. all areas – including economy and we should never take it for granted. I will not speak about political lead­ With our historical experience in Cen­ ers and personalities, but about our tral Europe we are especially sensi­ people - Slovak citizens of each age, tive in this regard. social status, political orientation or nationality. Throughout these two On the other hand, I share the evalu­ decades we have proved that we ation of those, who state that in the form a mature and responsible po­ Transatlantic area we have achieved litical nation. We have proved that the highest standard of security and we can manage our domestic affairs so we can focus our time and energy democratically and lead our country to enhance our economic stability towards prosperity and stability, to and prosperity. We cannot overlook pay our debts and show solidarity to the dramatic situation in Syria. We those in need. cannot neglect the developments on the Korean peninsula. However, We are respected members of the the key to our – European – success, European Union and NATO, which the key to our influence in the world, provide us with the highest level of the key to our global engagement security and stability ever. This forms lies today in stabilising European the basis of our commitment to economy and restarting its growth contribute actively to their further and in completing the unfinished strengthening. business of the unification of our con­

Summary and Key Speeches | 30 Opening Speech by Prime Minister Robert Fico

Today we are providers rather than deficit of public finances with the consumers of security and stabil­ medium-term goal of bringing Slova­ ity, contributors to overall economic kia’s structural deficit below 0.5% of prosperity and providers of donor GDP. assistance. At the same time, I wish to stress, that Ladies and Gentlemen, our consolidation efforts are not car­ Strong pro-European mandate, ried out in order to satisfy the institu­ which my government gained in the tions in Brussels. We do so because last year’s elections, has been the there is no other alternative if we basis for the foreign and European want to achieve long-term stabilisa­ policy of my government. We have tion of our public finances. We do backed our pro-European stance so, because we are members of the with concrete, responsible and con­ club with rules that we agreed to re­ structive approach. spect. We do so because the EU has to regain the trust of markets and the We were an integral part of the ef­ trust of our citizens. forts to stabilise the Eurozone start­ ing with the ESM, through the Fiscal However, consolidation efforts shall Compact to the emerging banking not ignore other important eco­ union. Seeking optimal ways for the nomic aspects. We have to take functioning of the EU in general and into account the high level of un­ the Eurozone in particular is a long- employment, especially among term process. However, I believe that young people, and focus our efforts we made a substantial step forward on generating growth and tackling to overcome the crisis last year. unemployment.

Fiscal consolidation is the corner­ Lack of action on growth and em­ stone in the process of the economic ployment could lead to a lost gen­ recovery. On the EU level, we have eration among youth and increase taken a number of measures in order social tension. Thus, we are prepared to ensure better budgetary discipline. to discuss the optimal pace of con­ solidation in the future, so as to en­ Nevertheless, just agreeing on mech­ sure a proper balance between fis­ anisms, adopting rules is not enough cal consolidation and economic if we are unable to stick to them. In growth. Slovakia, we are working hard to fulfil the task of pushing down the level of We welcome that the European public finance deficit. We intend to Council reiterated the importance meet our deficit target, as stipulated of targeting youth unemployment. in the Stability and Growth Pact and We will follow closely and implement bring it to 2.9% of GDP this year. In those EU initiatives which could im­ order to achieve this goal, we have prove the perspectives of youth. Last to make difficult decisions on both year we made use of the realloca­ spending and taxation. Neverthe­ tion of EU funds to tackle youth un­ less, the Slovak Government is pre­ employment, but if rules for the use of pared to take additional measures, EU structural funds were less rigid, we if changes in the economic environ­ could do even more. ment so require, to avoid breaching the 3% ceiling this year. The consoli­ In the context of consolidation efforts dation effort does not end in 2013. I must also stress another important We will conti-nue to decrease our principle. The same rules must apply

31 | Summary and Key Speeches Opening Speech by Prime Minister Robert Fico

to all EU Member States – big or small Addressing these soft-spots in the alike. If there is to be flexibility on the construction of the Eurozone is a must speed of fiscal consolidation, it must and it is clear that strengthened in­ be equally applicable to all Member tegration is required. We support the States. idea of completing the economic and monetary union based on four Ladies and Gentlemen, pillars as set out in President Van The agreement on the Multiannual Rompuy’s report from last year. We Financial Framework among Mem­ need changes that will deepen the ber States is an important signal that level of integration with the primary the EU is capable of finding solutions. aim of securing stability in the Euro­ zone and preventing future crises. The utmost priority now is to reach an agreement with the European When building new European mech­ Parliament as well, in order to ensure anisms and structures the key prin­ that all programmes and instruments ciples we constantly emphasise are are operational in time. We are pre­ solidarity, responsibility and inclusive­ pared to deal with the issues which ness. It is very important that all EU are of particular importance to the countries, including those outside the European Parliament. In our view Eurozone can fully participate if they the most problematic issue could be wish so. the compulsory and comprehensive revision of the Multiannual Financial The agreement on the Single Super­ Framework. We prefer to avoid any visory Mechanism is a very important revision that would lead to the re- step in the building of the banking opening of the agreed allocations. union. This success should inspire us Especially for the Cohesion Policy we to continue, however, the focus on need predictability of expenditures the speedy conclusion of this pro­ due to programming procedures. cess cannot be at the expense of its It took us nearly two years (at the quality. level of Member States) to reach an agreement. Starting this extremely The two other pillars – fiscal and eco­ difficult process in 3 years again is, in nomic – are closely interconnected. my view, not the best option. I think We support strict rules for economic that we should do our utmost to policies and budgetary discipline, as reach early an overall compromise well as measures striving towards bet­ deal. Otherwise, the EU runs the risk ter control and coordination of these of losing much of its credibility vis-à- policies at the European level. In this vis its citizens and foreign partners as regard, we are also supportive of the well. idea of contracts for competitive­ ness and growth between Member Ladies and Gentlemen, States and European institutions. Slovakia supports deepening of in­ tegration of the EU. We understand At the same time, we need more that the common currency cannot time for a thorough discussion about exist anymore in the conditions of well-balanced solidarity mecha­ a selective integration – that is just nisms, which should provide support monetary integration. The continua­ to countries undergoing structural re­ tion of our common currency can­ forms in the framework of contracts not go on as initially constructed. We with EU institutions. We have to avoid need to complete the genuine eco­ a possible moral hazard; a situation nomic and monetary union. in which a country could delay im­

Summary and Key Speeches | 32 Opening Speech by Prime Minister Robert Fico

portant reforms and wait for a “con­ gration is still unaccomplished. There tract” with financial aid. are still nations in our Eastern, South- Eastern, and even Northern (Iceland) We are strengthening our partnership neighbourhood that aspire for their with other global economies and place in our common European working on trade and investment home and transatlantic community agreements (for example with the of democratic nations. They need USA or Japan). Slovakia is largely an our help. export-oriented economy. Therefore we strongly welcome the long-await­ Slovakia received similar support in ed report of the High Level Group, previous years. We look forward to which recommends the launch of Croatia joining us in the EU soon and negotiations on the Trans-Atlantic we hope the enlargement process Trade and Investment Partnership be­ will continue. tween the EU and the USA and hope the agreement could be signed next On the other hand, the most impor­ year. We have a unique opportunity, tant role in the process is played by given this difficult period, to establish the aspirant countries – we can ad­ by far the largest free trade agree­ vise and advocate, but they have ment in history - beneficial for both to perform. Our experience shows sides of the Atlantic. For the EU, the that reforms do pay off. This is the key agreement could provide €119 billion message we try to get across to our a year in economic gains. partners in the Western Balkans or in the Eastern Partnership countries. Today, when the EU copes with cer­ tain, mainly economic and financial Ladies and gentlemen, challenges, we need new enthusi­ On a more global scale, Slovak en­ asm, as well as courage to seek solu­ gagement in Afghanistan is our ma­ tions that would bring new impulses for jor activity in supporting international integration and that would strength­ crisis management operations and en solidarity among the nations and missions. Our contribution to ISAF is states on our continent. That is the still the largest among operations most effective barrier to nationalism and missions we have participated and populism that has the tendency in. We will step up our effort to help to regain ground in times of crises. the Afghan authorities to successfully complete the process of transition. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our understanding of security and Ladies and Gentlemen, stability is wider than just military. It Individual national options and op­ has its economic, social and cultural portunities of Central European dimensions. That is the philosophy states to contribute to influencing we share with our partners in the EU European and even world affairs are and apply in our policies towards limited. Cooperation with our neigh­ third countries. Our effort is aimed at bours in all areas of common inter­ resolving not just the immediate, but est presents the top priority of my also structural roots of conflicts. This government. Therefore as a means understanding of security leads our of moving these relations to even efforts in our neighbourhood – in par­ higher level than before, my govern­ ticular in the Western Balkans as well ment introduces the mechanism of as in the Eastern Partnership countries. joint meetings of governments with In this context, we should not forget neighbouring countries. We have that the process of European inte­ accomplished such intergovernmen­

33 | Summary and Key Speeches Opening Speech by Prime Minister Robert Fico

tal meetings already with our Czech The lack of natural energy sources and Polish friends and we are prepar­ in Central Europe and our depend­ ing similar meetings with Austria and ence on import highlights the impor­ Hungary. tance of energy security as an area of cooperation and common inter­ Cooperation in the framework of the est. Learning lessons from the Janu­ Visegrad Group has played a central ary 2009 gas crisis, we are working on role in developing regional coopera­ the North-South interconnectors with tion in Central Europe. Together we all our neighbours that will diversify have already achieved a lot but routes for energy sources and thus there is much more that needs and strengthen the security of the whole can be done. Therefore, I am glad Central European region. to see that there is also a lot of politi­ cal will to continue and deepen our Ladies and Gentlemen, cooperation. Looking at this year’s Global Security Forum‘s agenda, I am happy to see Last year, I asked why the V4 could­ that you will discuss and hopefully try not be at the forefront of smart de­ to find answers on relevant issues of fence efforts. Since then, our experts concern for the Central European re­ from both governmental and non- gion and for transatlantic coopera­ governmental sectors made a lot of tion. I wish you fruitful deliberations good work and moved us closer not and look forward to hearing the con­ only to the formation of the Visegrad clusions from the conference. EU Battlegroup, which is expected to be on stand-by in the first half of 2016. They have as well identified a number of options - how to make our cooperation even deeper, more sys­ tematic and thus more beneficial for all of us.

Summary and Key Speeches | 34 Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Awards at GLOBSEC 2013

GLOBSEC GALA ceptional individuals who have sub­ stantially contributed to freedom and DINNER 2013 democracy in Central Europe and to strengthening transatlantic relations, the 2013 Awards were handed out to two distinguished Central European leaders – Oldřich Černý ‘in memo­ riam’ and Jan Krzysztof Bielecki.

Oldřich Černý, a leading Czech se­ curity policy practitioner, entered public life after the 1989 Velvet Rev­ olution when appointed President Havel’s national security advisor. After the split of Czechoslovakia in January 1993, he became director general of the Czech Foreign Intelli­ gence Service. Passing away prema­ turely in 2012, he was awarded for his key role and multiple engagements On the opening day of GLOBSEC in the Czechoslovak and the Czech 2013, the Slovak Atlantic Commission Republic´s public service. In his lauda­ and the Ministry of Foreign and Euro­ tory remarks on Mr. Černý, the former pean Affairs of the Slovak Republic Czech Minister of Defense, Alexandr hosted the GLOBSEC Gala Dinner – a Vondra, recalled how shortly follow­ celebratory event, which commem­ ing the Velvet Revolution, Oldřich orated the 20th anniversary of Slo­ Černý was put in charge of the police vakia’s independence and hosted and security community – “the dirtiest the Czech and Slovak Transatlantic government portfolio at the time”. Awards. In the presence of hundreds Within the context of a security world, of distinguished guests, Dr. Zbigniew Oldřich represented what we call Brzezinski offered a reflection on the “soft power” and enjoyed unique au­ events, which led to the creation of thority among his colleagues. When the independent Czech and Slovak accepting the prize in his late father’s republics. He characterised the Vel­ name, Matej Černý emphasised that vet Divorce as an impressive lesson in his father had a unique gift of know­ democratic decision-making and in ing how to talk to people and people continued mutual respect, pointing actually liked to talk to him – “an unu­ out that there is a lesson in this for the sual attribute among spies who are future of Europe – that mature coun­ paid to listen and keep their mouths tries, mature peoples can learn to shut”. He also managed to remain cohabitate despite their immediate normal, Matej stressed, in an envi­ difficulties or historical experiences. ronment where staying normal is the least normal thing to do. And it was precisely such people, ma­ ture Central European leaders, who Jan Krzysztof Bielecki received the became laureates of the 2013 Czech Czech and Slovak Transatlantic and Slovak Transatlantic Awards – an Award for his role in democratisation, initiative launched by the Slovak At­ economic development and Euro- lantic Commission and the Czech Eu­ Atlantic integration of Poland and ro-Atlantic Council Jagello 2000. As other Central European countries - the initiative annually recognises ex­ contributions he made as Poland´s

35 | Summary and Key Speeches Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Awards at GLOBSEC 2013

prime minister, minister for European was the principle we adopted when integration, as well as through his we were regaining freedom in the parliamentary work and earlier in­ glorious year of 1989 and which I had volvement in the anti-communist the opportunity to put into practice movement. Since 2010, Mr. Bielecki when I served in the first Solidarity- continues to work on Poland´s pro­ led governments.” Concluding his gress as the chairman of the Eco­ speech, Bielecki said that the Czech nomic Council of Prime Minister Don­ and Slovak Transatlantic Award is ald Tusk. here to remind us of the significance of the transatlantic dimension to our When presenting the Award to Mr. Bi­ transition. elecki, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia reminded the distinguished Achievements of these two personal­ guests that we must recognise the ities were also echoed by GLOBSEC freedom fighters who have made co-chair Minister Miroslav Lajčák dur­ a difference and demonstrated the ing his Gala Dinner speech: “What courage to overthrow totalitarian these two distinguished Central Euro­ regimes. He also recalled that the pean personalities have in common world did not always lend its support is their firm belief in freedom and to democratisation in Central Eu­ democratic values. They were both rope: “When Jan Bielecki and Lech actively engaged in the fight against Wałęsa were stirring things up, many communism as well as in public life countries in the West said ‘don’t rock after the fall of communism. Many the boat’. It was a time when it was among us have known them as good more important to have good rela­ friends but also as real leaders – pro­ tions with the other side than to care moting cooperation on the regional about liberty, freedom, and human as well as transatlantic level. There rights.” Mr. Bielecki said in his speech is no doubt that they fundamentally that he accepted the Award on be­ contributed to democracy-building half of the thousands of often anony­ and helped anchor transatlantic val­ mous activists of the Polish opposition, ues in the Central European space. without whom it would have taken In today’s rapidly-changing world, much longer to restore freedom in we have to follow their example and the region. He also emphasised that stick to our values if we do not want “there was no economic freedom to get confused.” without political freedom and this

Summary and Key Speeches | 36 GLOBSEC Young Leaders’ Forum 2013

GLOBSEC 2013 Awards were handed out to two dis­ tinguished Central European leaders YOUNG LEADERS’ – Oldřich Černý ‘in memoriam’ and Jan Krzysztof Bielecki. FORUM Oldřich Černý, a leading Czech se­ curity policy practitioner, entered public life after the 1989 Velvet Rev­ olution when appointed President Havel’s national security advisor. After the split of Czechoslovakia in January 1993, he became director general of the Czech Foreign Intelli­ gence Service. Passing away prema­ turely in 2012, he was awarded for his On the opening day of GLOBSEC key role and multiple engagements 2013, the Slovak Atlantic Commission in the Czechoslovak and the Czech and the Ministry of Foreign and Euro­ Republic´s public service. In his laud­ pean Affairs of the Slovak Republic atory remarks on Mr. Černý, the for­ hosted the GLOBSEC Gala Dinner – a mer Czech Minister of Defense, Al­ celebratory event, which commem­ exandr Vondra, recalled how shortly orated the 20th anniversary of Slo­ following the Velvet Revolution, vakia’s independence and hosted Oldřich Černý was put in charge of the Czech and Slovak Transatlantic the police and security community Awards. In the presence of hundreds – “the dirtiest government portfolio of distinguished guests, Dr. Zbigniew at the time”. Within the context of a Brzezinski offered a reflection on the security world, Oldřich represented events, which led to the creation of what we call “soft power” and en­ the independent Czech and Slovak joyed unique authority among his republics. He characterised the Vel­ colleagues. When accepting the vet Divorce as an impressive lesson in prize in his late father’s name, Matej democratic decision-making and in Černý emphasised that his father continued mutual respect, pointing had a unique gift of knowing how to out that there is a lesson in this for the talk to people and people actually future of Europe – that mature coun­ liked to talk to him – “an unusual at­ tries, mature peoples can learn to tribute among spies who are paid to cohabitate despite their immediate listen and keep their mouths shut”. difficulties or historical experiences. He also managed to remain normal, Matej stressed, in an environment And it was precisely such people, where staying normal is the least nor­ mature Central European lead­ mal thing to do. ers, who became laureates of the 2013 Czech and Slovak Transatlan­ Jan Krzysztof Bielecki received the tic Awards – an initiative launched Czech and Slovak Transatlantic by the Slovak Atlantic Commission Award for his role in democratisation, and the Czech Euro-Atlantic Council economic development and Euro- Jagello 2000. As the initiative annu­ Atlantic integration of Poland and ally recognises exceptional individu­ other Central European countries - als who have substantially contrib­ contributions he made as Poland´s uted to freedom and democracy in prime minister, minister for European Central Europe and to strengthen­ integration, as well as through his ing transatlantic relations, the 2013 parliamentary work and earlier in­

37 | Summary and Key Speeches GLOBSEC Young Leaders’ Forum 2013

volvement in the anti-communist we were regaining freedom in the movement. Since 2010, Mr. Bielecki glorious year of 1989 and which I had continues to work on Poland´s pro­ the opportunity to put into practice gress as the chairman of the Eco­ when I served in the first Solidarity- nomic Council of Prime Minister Don­ led governments.” Concluding his ald Tusk. speech, Bielecki said that the Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Award is When presenting the Award to Mr. Bi­ here to remind us of the significance elecki, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of the transatlantic dimension to our of Estonia reminded the distinguished transition. guests that we must recognise the freedom fighters who have made Achievements of these two personal­ a difference and demonstrated the ities were also echoed by GLOBSEC courage to overthrow totalitarian co-chair Minister Miroslav Lajčák dur­ regimes. He also recalled that the ing his Gala Dinner speech: “What world did not always lend its support these two distinguished Central Euro­ to democratisation in Central Eu­ pean personalities have in common rope: “When Jan Bielecki and Lech is their firm belief in freedom and Wałęsa were stirring things up, many democratic values. They were both countries in the West said ‘don’t rock actively engaged in the fight against the boat’. It was a time when it was communism as well as in public life more important to have good rela­ after the fall of communism. Many tions with the other side than to care among us have known them as good about liberty, freedom, and human friends but also as real leaders – pro­ rights.” Mr. Bielecki said in his speech moting cooperation on the regional that he accepted the Award on be­ as well as transatlantic level. There half of the thousands of often anony­ is no doubt that they fundamentally mous activists of the Polish opposition, contributed to democracy-building without whom it would have taken and helped anchor transatlantic val­ much longer to restore freedom in ues in the Central European space. the region. He also emphasised that In today’s rapidly-changing world, “there was no economic freedom we have to follow their example and without political freedom and this stick to our values if we do not want was the principle we adopted when to get confused.”

Summary and Key Speeches | 38 About GLOBSEC 2013

GLOBSEC 2013 welcomed more than SIDE EVENTS 110 discussants engaged in substan­ tive and fruitful discussions on foreign DINNER SESSIONS policy and security issues – with the participation of more than 1000 reg­ This year´s edition of GLOBSEC pre­ istered guests from 62 countries. In sented the highest number of break­ addition to that, with more than 150 fast and dinner sessions on the widest political and expert side meetings breadth of topics as of yet - a total and events, GLOBSEC considerably of 16 sessions characterised by their increased its policy-shaping and net­ open, frank, and off-the-record na­ working value and included a num­ ture. With most sessions not exceed­ ber of closed-door discussions on the ing twenty participants, the exclusiv­ future of transatlantic relations, Mol­ ity of this format was a unique oppor­ dova and Belarus, and defence co­ tunity for building new partnerships operation within the Visegrad Group, and networks. to name but a few. During these sessions, the bestsell­ The subject matter of the Forum was ing author, Lahore´s Ahmed Rashid wide-ranging and discussed within opened a discussion on Afghan-Pa­ twelve main conference sessions, kistani relations and prospects for the GLOBSEC Chats and Debates as well region. Addressing the latest news as a Keynote Speech by Dr. Zbigniew that made world-wide headlines, Brzezinski. GLOBSEC also provided a Najib Ghadbian, Syrian Opposition platform for off-the-record discussion Representative to the US, kicked off at four night owl sessions and fifteen a debate on developments in Syria closed dinner sessions. At the main and the strife’s impact on its neigh­ panels, the debate evolved around bours and the wider region. The Koso­ the following themes: the US’ reas­ vo** and Serbia dinner session, which sessment and redefinition of its trans­ took place on the day the two coun­ atlantic agenda; Europe’s changing tries signed a historic deal aimed at approach to the changing status normalising their relations, was held quo caused by the rise of Asia; NA­ in a celebratory mood. With a star- TO’s need to find a new purpose af­ studded set of speakers, the dinner ter ISAF; the European Union’s institu­ session on cyber-security featured tional makeup against the backdrop Estonia´s President Toomas Hendrik Il­ of burning economic challenges; ves and Baroness Neville-Jones, spe­ the Central Europeans’ ambitions cial representative to business on cy­ and plans to increase cooperation ber security of the UK Government. amongst the V4, which would ena­ ble them to speak with a single voice The future of Ukraine and Russian within transatlantic structures; and ambitions in its neighbourhood also the current challenges to homeland featured among the evening dis­ security as well as non-proliferation cussions. In addition to that, experts threats world-wide. and participants also debated what lessons could be drawn from the in­ All in all, the feedback received from tervention in Mali, where Turkish-EU discussants, guests and the media relations were at, and whether Eu­ suggests that GLOBSEC 2013 has rope needed a new security strat­ been a success once again and that egy. Central European topics were it remains one of the top foreign pol­ anchored in V4 visions for a com­ icy and security events of its kind in mon defence strategy and the fu­ the transatlantic area. ture of the EU. Transatlantic relations

39 | Summary and Key Speeches About GLOBSEC 2013

between the EU and the US were session participants agreed, one of discussed within the context of the the biggest gains of the potential possible free trade agreement and deal could be its capacity to moti­ the priorities of Obama’s second vate other actors around the world term in office were the subject of a to become more cooperative and separate dinner event held in the his­ more interested in opening up their toric city centre of Bratislava. United own markets. We have to, however, Kingdom´s position towards the Eu­ some experts emphasised, be really ropean Union, strategies for address­ honest about what we expect from ing austerity in Europe as well as the each other and, at the same time, perennial questions behind humani­ cannot expect immediate results tarian interventions closed the set of as such an agreement would take GLOBSEC 2013´s breakfast and din­ years to implement. However, there ner discussions. are some areas that the agreement will not fix – it will not take care of the POLICY SESSIONS lack of global ambitions of Europe and its exclusively “soft power” im­ GLOBSEC is more than just a place age. In order to arrive at a common where people meet and exchange agreement, discussants emphasised views. It is a place where policies are that the agreement should not be shaped. A place where representa­ left solely to technocrats, but that it tives of the public, NGOs and the be kept as a top political agenda. business sector identify key security, Otherwise, without strong political foreign policy and economic chal­ support, strong pressure from the lenges and draft policies directed business community and civil soci­ at addressing them. In 2013, policy ety, the deal is unlikely to be passed sessions were also an integral part of by the Congress or the European GLOBSEC and touched upon some Parliament. of the following issues: GEORGIA AND MOLDOVA REALITY TRANSATLANTIC POLICY SESSION CHECK The session brought together some The last day of GLOBSEC 2013 also of the greatest strategists, policy- provided a platform for two full-day makers, and academics from Wash­ policy review sessions on Georgia ington to Central and Western Eu­ and Moldova. Taking place sev­ ropean capitals to discuss the pros­ eral months prior to the Vilnius East­ pect of a free trade agreement ern Partnership Summit, this event between the US and the EU and brought together top international its potential consequences. Par­ analysts, diplomats and policy-mak­ ticipants of the round-table discus­ ers who held closed discussions on sion agreed that, if negotiated and factors and trends that define the implemented, the project would politics of the two countries. With the have significant geopolitical effects. aim of devising a more effective pol­ Obama’s second term in office and icy towards the EU’s Eastern neigh­ his summer 2013 visit to Germany bourhood countries – the GLOBSEC could be used as an opportunity to side-event successfully allowed the lay down the vision and raise trans­ Slovak organizers to gather crucial atlantic relations to a higher level of facts and expert insight necessary clarity; create an understanding that for shaping policy recommendations the US has an enormous stake in the on Georgia and Moldova. The find­ future of Europe, in the aftermath of ings from GLOBSEC will be reviewed the Eurozone crisis. Trade-wise, the by two expert groups and will result

Summary and Key Speeches | 40 About GLOBSEC 2013

in two separate non-papers – to be After the last year’s success of CEPI’s presented at the upcoming Vilnius DAV4 project on defence collabora­ Summit. tion in the Visegrad region, the results of which were officially presented SHAPING POLICY ON THE EU VISEGRAD at previous GLOBSEC, CEPI used this BATLEGROUP AND THE V4 CYBER platform again to discuss its new ini­ STRATEGY tiatives, including in the field of cyber- As the DAV4 project of CEPI ap­ space protection. Two expert groups proaches its materialisation in the put together by CEPI gathered at form of the EU Visegrad Battlegroup, GLOBSEC, one dealing with the ci­ the first major defence collaboration vilian aspects of cyber security, the amongst the Central European part­ other with the cyber-activities threat­ ners, DAV4 II expert groups gathered ening our military networks. They will at GLOBSEC. One group examined soon present a set of recommenda­ the possibilities of keeping parts of the tions for the Visegrad governments 2016 EU Battlegroup permanently in­ on how to proceed in the implemen­ tegrated, the other dealt with region­ tation of the new European cyber- al collaboration in the field of cyber security strategy, draw possible crisis defence. Given the rising importance scenarios that might help state institu­ of cyber security on governments’ tions to prepare better for contingen­ agendas, another achievement of cies and will advise defence depart­ GLOBSEC 2013 was the official launch ments in the region on how to work of the so-called CSV4 project, which more effectively together. will focus on civilian aspects of existing cyber threats. Experts working on this project will soon publish recommen­ dations and advise the Visegrad gov­ ernments on how to proceed in the implementation of the new European cyber security strategy and in prepar­ ing crisis management strategies. Be­ sides the closed-door debates held on the sidelines of GLOBSEC 2013, the experts met with Central European and international media and briefed them on the results of their work and plans for future cooperation.

41 | Summary and Key Speeches About the Slovak Atlantic Commission

The Slovak Atlantic Com­ 3. The Youth Leadership Pillar; aims to foster a new gen­ mission (SAC) is an inde­ eration of young people, develop their expertise, pendent, non-partisan build their professional skills and instil the values nec­ and nongovernmental or­ essary for them to become inspired leaders. The pro­ ganization that has been gramme’s activities include education, professional giving Central Europe a experience, active participation in projects, and the powerful voice in the for­ completion of scholarships and traineeships at home eign policy debate for the and abroad. past two decades. With the understanding that trans­ national challenges require international solutions, the FAMILY ORGANISATIONS Commission supports deeper regional, European and The success of the Slovak Atlantic Commission has in­ transatlantic cooperation on the basis of instrumental spired its leaders to establish an analytical centre, the values, particularly democracy, individual liberty and Central European Policy Institute and a sister organisa­ the rule of law. tion, the Center for European Affairs. Working towards a broadly defined common goal – increasing Central Eu­ The Commission’s core goal of promoting a stable, rope’s influence beyond its borders – each organization prosperous and influential Central Europe is realised has a specific approach, and a unique set of expertise. through its various activities. Today, the agenda of the Slovak Atlantic Commission is divided into three distinct The Center for European Affairs pillars: The Center for European Affairs (CEA) is a sister organi­ sation of SAC. It represents an opportunity to formalise 1. The Strategic Forums Pillar; connects decision-mak­ and strengthen the tradition of constructive European ers, leaders, experts and the public through various debate from a Slovak perspective. CEA fills a much­ events, including the GLOBSEC Bratislava Global Se­ needed space for cultivating a critical European com­ curity Forum, the Château Béla Central European munity that is willing to develop and shape the public, Strategic Forum and others. The pillar creates plat­ expert and political debate on the future of Europe forms for finding solutions to the strategic challenges and the position of Slovakia within this area. of today; encouraging vigorous and informed public debate, while contributing to it substantively and al­ The Central European Policy Institute ways with an emphasis on our core values. The Central European Policy Institute (CEPI) is a regional think-tank established and run by SAC based in Brati­ 2. The Transfer of Know-How Pillar; involves the Commis­ slava, Slovakia. Its mission is to help decision-makers sion’s development activities and projects abroad, and opinion-makers in Central Europe craft common particularly in the countries of the Western Balkans, responses to current challenges, and improve the qual­ Eastern Partnership, Caucasus and North Africa. Its ity of their contributions to the EU and NATO debates. goal is to give these countries the encouragement It does so by engaging the region’s top experts and and support, as well as to share know-how and expe­ institutions, promoting innovative solutions, and work­ rience necessary for their successful transformation ing closely with governments to turn recommendations and Euro-Atlantic integration. into policy.

Amb. (Ret.) Rastislav Káčer Róbert Vass Daniela Richterová President and Chairman of Secretary General, Director of Strategic Forums and the Board, Slovak Atlantic Slovak Atlantic Commission GLOBSEC, Slovak Atlantic Commission Commission Founder of GLOBSEC

Summary and Key Speeches | 42 Organiser Strategic Partners

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Slovak Atlantic Commission

Headquarters: Office Banská Bystrica: Klariská 14 Kuzmányho 3 811 03 Bratislava 974 01 Banská Bystrica Slovak Republic Slovak Republic Phone/Fax: +421 2 544 106 09 Phone: +421 48 415 2260 [email protected] [email protected] www.globsec.org | www.ata-sac.org