The European Institute’s Roundtable on Defense and Security addresses substantive ways to maximize defense, security and political cooperation between Europe and the United States, within the context of the institutional evolution of NATO and European defense policies. Central to this ongoing initiative are the relationships between NATO, the European Union, and national governments on both sides of the Atlantic. The Roundtable specifically explores the roles of foreign and security policy institutions, as well as the impact of geopolitical developments on the management of security issuesand transatlantic defense industries. Developed in cooperation with NATO, member states and the European Commission, the Roundtable serves as an important forum for transatlantic dialogue on such key issues as the evolution of NATO’s new strategic concept, defense industry consolidation, interoperability, defense procurement policies, and the growing role of soft power in U.S. and European defense policies.

Recent Meetings:

Article Information: Created on 08 December 2008

The seminar focused on how France, Sweden, Finland and Austria envisage their future cooperation with NATO in the new strategic framework. Although not members, these countries have made significant contributions to NATO operations and have developed partnerships with the alliance; however, except for France, they do not plan to join NATO in the near future. Col. Jean-Baptiste Minjoulat-Rey, Military Attaché, Embassy of France outlined France’s position, saying that France plans to contribute both to EU defense and to NATO. Brig. Gen. Peter Resch, Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché, Embassy of Austria foresees NATO promoting common standards and procedures not only to NATO members but also to states prepared to deal with NATO. Capt. Jaakko Savisaari, Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché, Embassy of Finland, emphasized that Finland’s policy for the future will be to maintain an independent credible national defense; and to be as close to NATO as possible without being a member. Antonella Cerasino, Head of the Countries Section, noted that as NATO’s faces new challenges, partnerships will be central in the new strategic concept. There will be revisions on how NATO and its partners can work more closely together, how to involve in the decision-making process non-member countries that contribute to operations and need to have a say. The meeting concluded with presentations by H.E. Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden and Kurt Volker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Amb. Hafström outlined Swedish foreign and security policy, its relations with NATO, and its role in the EU. Amb. Volker discussed NATO’s current concerns and the top five tasks it must tackle over the next couple of years. These are: Rebuild a sense that the US and Europe form a single community, getting Afghanistan on track, agreeing about the issues of Russia and Eastern Europe, finishing the job in the Balkans, and getting NATO to focus on the challenges of the future. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Robert Hunter, Senior Advisor, RAND Corporation and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO.

Article Information: Created on 10 November 2008

As unmanned aircraft systems multiply with astonishing rapidity and their contribution to earth surveillance and the treatment of emergency situations increases in parallel to the commercial, homeland security and military applications, there is a pressing need to ensure the security and environmental safety of this increased traffic. This seminar brought together representatives of the U.S. Administration and Congress, European officials, senior corporate executives, representatives from multilateral organizations, and experts to evaluate progress and identify current needs. Speakers included Peter van Blyenburgh, President of UVS International; Kenneth “Doug” Davis, UAS Program Office Manager for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration; Sara Summers, UAS Deputy Project Manager for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Douglas Koupash, Executive Director of Mission Support, Office of CBP Air and Marine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Rear Admiral Wayne Justice, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Capability for the U.S. Coast Guard. Major General Michael Kostelnik, USAF (Ret), Assistant Commissioner for CBP Air and Marine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection presented keynote remarks.

Article Information: Created on 29 May 2008

Organized under the auspices of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council, this meeting assessed the challenges and opportunities facing Europe and the United States in developing effective adaptation policies that will ensure global security and help prevent humanitarian disasters on a catastrophic scale. Rear Admiral Torben Ørting Joergensen, Assistant Chief of Staff for Capabilities, NATO Allied Command Transformation and Sherri Goodman, General Counsel, The CNA Corporation offered their perspectives on the security implications of climate change and the strategic adaptations they will require. Rafe Pomerance, President, Climate Policy Center gave his assessment of what adaptation policies are most necessary and what opportunities they present for greater transatlantic cooperation. Miriam Mozgan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Slovenia presented the Slovenian Presidency’s priorities regarding this issue.

Article Information: Created on 20 May 2008

The evolution of European and U.S. defense procurement and industrial relations was at the heart of the discussion. Current moves to consolidate the European defense procurement sector may have a lasting impact on transatlantic industrial cooperation, and procurement rules are under examination in the U.S. as well. François Gayet, Secretary General of the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe presented the European industry’s perspective. Robert Bell, Chairman of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Study Group on Trans-Atlantic Defense Industrial Cooperation and Senior Vice President for European Business Development at SAIC, presented the results of NIAG’s report to NATO. Brig. Gen. Olivier-Pierre Jacquotte, Defense Cooperation Attaché at the Embassy of France, discussed France’s initiatives and plans for the French Presidency of the EU Council. Robert Kovac, Managing Director of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, U.S. Department of State, addressed progress made so far and challenges ahead for the licensing process. Amb. Robert E. Hunter, Senior Advisor, Rand Corporation and Former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, moderated the discussion.

Article Information: Created on 19 February 2008

Jean-François Bureau, Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO discussed NATO’s new strategic concepts as it looks ahead to the 2009 summit, which include prevention of terrorism and maritime awareness, cyber-defense, missile defense and energy security. He also discussed the significance of public diplomacy as NATO redefines its role in order to meet the new security challenges of the 21st century and transitions from a military defense organization into a broader regional security organization. H.E. Andreas Kakouris, Ambassador of Cyprus; H.E. Mark Miceli-Farrugia, Ambassador of Malta; H.E. Dominique Struye de Swielande, Ambassador of Belgium; and H.E. Adrian Vierita, Ambassador of Romania; as well as Gerald Pease, Executive Director, Department of Defense Policy Board on Federal Aviation Leo Michel, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), National Defense University moderated the meeting.

European Institute

Defense & Security

Recent Meetings:

Memberships Revisited: Integration into NATO’s New Strategic Framework

Civilian Security Applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Adapting to Climate Change to Address Security and Humanitarian Challenges

The Impact of EU-NATO Institutional Evolution on Defense Technology Cooperation: Procurement Rules and Export Controls

The New Role Assigned to Public Diplomacy in NATO

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