On September 27, 2011, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and NATO Deputy Secretary General Designate discussed the continuing evolution of U.S. defense policy, lessons learned from the Alliance's intervention in Libya, and the need to strengthen the European-American partnership on multiple fronts in order to meet common security challenges.
On September 22, 2011, The Honorable Christian Syse, Deputy Secretary General of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed Norway’s unique role within the transatlantic alliance, as a founding member of NATO and as an important partner of the European Union. Just shy of EU membership, Norway’s active role is by no means limited to its’ engagement in the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Area, as witnessed by the nation’s consistent efforts to further greater social and economic cohesion in Central and Eastern Europe. Mr. Syse also offered insights into the future of Norway’s relationship with the European Union, and the considerable challenges facing both Europe and the United States.
On September 21, 2011, The Honorable John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy offered his perspective on the parameters for responsible innovation and how the EU can best strike a balance between the pressing drive for new and innovative consumer products and consumer safety. He also the prospects and challenges for greater transatlantic cooperation on consumer safety policies and the shared imperative of insuring better public health policies for long term social and economic benefit.
On September 19, 2011, Claude-France Arnould, the European Defense Agency’s new Chief Executive, addressed the multiple challenges in bolstering the European Union’s defense capabilities and furthering EU-US defense cooperation at a time of severe budgetary restriction. She focused particularly on the European Union’s Pooling and Sharing Initiative and the need for increased transatlantic cooperation in order to effectively meet common security challenges and improve defense capabilities.
On September 14, 2011, Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy shared her insights into NATO’s current agenda and priorities leading up to the NATO Summit to be held in Chicago in the spring of 2012.
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