Pressikutse: NATO-Euroopa Liidu Ümarlaud 2025

Eesti NATO Ühing (EATA)

Tallinn, 7. aprill 2025.a.

PRESSIKUTSE

Austatud ajakirjanik!

Kutsume Teid 11. aprillil 2025.a. kell 09.00 algavale NATO-Euroopa Liidu Ümarlauale. Üritus toimub Radisson Blu Olümpia Hotellis (Liivalaia 33, Tallinn) Eesti NATO Ühingu korraldusel juba kolmeteistkümnendat korda. Konverentsi avab Euroopa Liidu välisasjade ja julgeolekupoliitika kõrge esindaja nõunik Oliver Mõru. Üritusel võtavad sõna Marc Francis NATO peakorteri poliitikaosakonna julgeolekupoliitika osakonnast, Kristine Berzina, GMF Northi (The German Marshall Fund of the United States) tegevdirektor ja Dr. Kristi Raik, Rahvusvahelise Kaitseuuringute Keskuse direktor ja paljud teised kõrged ametnikud.

Kristine Berzina, GMF Northi (The German Marshall Fund of the United States) tegevdirektor: “Euroopat raputavad kaks suurt vapustust: esiteks Venemaa vahetu ja tõsine sõjaline oht kontinendile ning teiseks Washingtonist lähtuv karm retoorika ja murrangulised poliitikamuudatused. Euroopa esialgsed reaktsioonid on keskendunud ad hoc ja minilateraalsele koostööle. Kuid tõeline tugevus peitub pühendumises Euroopa Liidu ja NATO rolli suurendamisse kui Euroopa julgeoleku ja välispoliitilise mõjuvõimu peamistesse platvormidesse. Euroopa riigid peaksid tugevdama oma institutsioone, et suuta pakkuda ulatuslikke ja õigeaegseid julgeolekulahendusi.”

Konverents toimub 11. aprillil. Tegemist on rahvusvahelise konverentsiga, mille eesmärk on tuua kokku otsustajad ja noored ning tõsta avalikkuse teadlikkust rahvusvahelise julgeolekupoliitika valdkonnas.

Päeva jooksul käsitletakse mitmeid tänase rahvusvahelise julgeolekukeskkonna keskseid teemasid: NATO ja Euroopa Liidu koostöö süvendamine 21. sajandi väljakutsete valguses, mineviku võitude tähistamine ning tulevikku suunatud arutelud Euroopa relvajõudude piisavusest ja kaitsetööstuse arengust. Eraldi tähelepanu pööratakse muutuvatele geopoliitilistele jõujoontele – arutatakse Hiina kasvavat mõju, Lähis-Ida piirkonna pingekoldeid ning Aafrika strateegilist rolli üleilmses julgeolekupildis. Samuti käsitletakse majanduslike ja poliitiliste sidemete katkemist Venemaaga ning selle mõjusid lääneriikidele.

Paneeldiskussioonid ja ettekanded pakuvad põhjalikku ülevaadet aktuaalsetest julgeolekupoliitilistest arengutest ja koostöövõimalustest erinevates maailma piirkondades. Päev kulmineerub kokkuvõtete ja arutelude põhjal tehtud järeldustega.

Üritusel osaleb ligi 100 eksperti, ametnikku ja tudengit kokku rohkemast kui 12 riigist. Töökeeleks on inglise keel.

NATO-Euroopa Liidu Ümarlauda korraldab Eesti NATO Ühing koostöös Friedrich Eberti Fondi, Balti-Ameerika vabaduse fondi (BAFF), Eesti kaitseministeeriumi ja välisministeeriumiga.

Täpsem info ja registreerimine: info@eata.ee 

Tel 5118080 (Krista Mulenok, Eesti NATO Ühingu juhatuse esimees)

Ajakava 11. aprill

08:30-09:00 Registration and morning coffee

09:00-09:10 Welcoming remarks by Krista Mulenok, Board Member of the Atlantic Treaty Association, Secretary General of the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association, founder of the NATO-EU Roundtable

09:10-09:25 Opening speech by Oliver Mõru, Member of the Cabinet of the High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, European Commission

09:25-09:40 Opening speech by Beate Martin, Director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Regional Office for the Baltic States

09:40-09:55 Opening speech (on video) by Marc Francis, Security Policy Section of the Political Affairs Division at NATO HQ

09:55-10:10 Opening speech by  Kristine Berzina, Managing Director, GMF North

Panel discussions

10:15-12:00 Adapting Together: NATO and the EU in the Evolving Global Landscape

In an era of shifting power dynamics and emerging global threats, NATO and the EU are at the forefront of safeguarding the Euro-Atlantic security order. As both organisations navigate complex relationships with major actors like Russia and China, it is becoming increasingly clear that their ability to adapt and respond collectively is of the utmost importance. In light of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a need to reinforce the cooperation between NATO and the EU in order to ensure a united front against those who seek to destabilise the region.

It would be fair to say that the transatlantic bond remains at the heart of NATO and EU strategies. However, in order to balance European interests with U.S. priorities, it will be necessary to employ skillful diplomacy and coordination. Internally, the EU is faced with the challenge of aligning the diverse security and defence perspectives of its member states, which can potentially complicate its engagement with NATO. As cyber threats and hybrid warfare continue to evolve, it would be beneficial for NATO and the EU to consider ways to strengthen their joint response capabilities and develop common strategies to address these modern challenges. One major question is still looming over the future of the US and EU and that is about procurement of military supplies.

This panel will examine how NATO and the EU are addressing these complexities together, with a view to forging a stronger partnership to address shared security challenges. By exploring initiatives such as enhanced resilience, cyber defence collaboration, and strategic coherence, the panel will provide insights into the future of NATO-EU synergy and how both organisations are adapting to remain effective and relevant in the 21st century.

Speakers:

Ms Kristine Berzina, Managing Director, GMF North 

Wing Commander, Robyn Davis Hall, Defence Attaché, United Kingdom TBC

Mr. Oliver Mõru, Member of the Cabinet of the High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, European Commission

Dr. Kristi Raik, Director of the International Centre for Defence and Security                     

Moderator: Mr. Kalle Kirss, Director of the NATO and EU Department at the Ministry of Defence of Estonia

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:30 Navigating Strategic Competition: NATO, the EU, and China’s Evolving

Relationship – Balancing Divergent U.S. and EU Perspectives

As global power dynamics evolve, the interplay between NATO, the EU, and China has become central to shaping the international security and economic landscape. These relationships are defined by diverse strategic intentions and perceptions, reflecting differing approaches on both sides of the Atlantic. While some NATO and EU members view China’s assertive policies as a challenge to the rules-based international order, China has raised concerns over NATO's and the EU's expanding influence and partnerships in Asia, suggesting potential implications for its strategic interests. At the same time, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its growing economic presence in Europe introduce both opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure investment, trade, and technology.

This panel will examine the critical dimensions of NATO-EU-China relations, including the risks of misperceptions and miscalculations that could lead to unintended escalation. The discussion will explore opportunities for dialogue on pressing issues such as maritime security, climate change, military transparency, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation, with particular attention to the impact of the BRI and the potential for aligning mutual interests in trade and development. By addressing these challenges and opportunities, this panel seeks to illuminate how NATO, the EU, and China can navigate their strategic competition while fostering pathways for constructive engagement and economic collaboration in the 21st century.

Speakers:

Mr. Toomas Hanso, The International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) 

Ms. Pauline Springer, Graduate Researcher, International Relations

Mr. Aaron Gasch Burnett, Senior Fellow at Democratic Strategy Initiative

Moderator:          

Ms. Anniki Mikelsaar,  DPhil researcher, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

14:30-15:00 Coffee break

15:00-16:30 The New Scramble for Africa and the Middle East: Foreign Interventions, Regional Conflicts and Statebuilding

As the strategic importance of Africa and the Middle East continues to rise, these regions face mounting challenges tied to foreign interventions, regional conflicts, and the complexities of statebuilding. This panel will examine key issues in the Sahel region, where instability, armed groups, and foreign military operations intersect with local governance struggles. It will also address the protracted conflict in Syria and its implications for the broader Middle East, highlighting how external powers shape the trajectory of these crises.

The discussion will delve into the diverse motivations behind foreign involvement, including security, resource control, and geopolitical influence, and assess the consequences for sovereignty, regional stability, and development. By focusing on the interplay of local and international actors, this panel will provide insights into the evolving dynamics in these critical regions and their implications for global security.

Speakers:

Ms. Sintija Broka, the Deputy Director and Head of the Middle East Research Program at the   Latvian Institute of International Affairs

Ms. Minna-Liina Lind, Undersecretary for Global Affairs at the Estonian Foreign Ministry 

Dr Ivan U. Klyszcz, The International Centre for Defence and Security

Mr. Peeter Raudsik, Former diplomat and Middle East expert

Moderator:  Mr. Berk Erdem, Expert

16:30-16:45 Conclusion of the panel discussions

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