The Future of NATO and the Role of the European Union

NATO’s upcoming 60th anniversary Summit in April 2009 is crucial for the future of the Alliance. As the context in which NATO operates has changed fundamentally, a new strategic concept has to be drafted. The new concept is supposed to guide the Alliance in confronting terrorism, cyber attacks and even the problems resulting from climate change. Enlargement with two more ex-communist states - Albania and Croatia - will be another topic on the agenda. The new US president Obama already declared that a major focus will be on Afghanistan and wants the Europeans to make a greater contribution. As this is a potentially dividing issue, the Czech presidency will try to keep it from the agenda and invite Obama to discuss it on the afternoon of 4th April in Prague with the EU leaders. French President Sarkozy is expected to announce formally that France will rejoin the NATO command structure after 33 years of absence. He hopes for a stronger French and European influence within NATO. One thing is sure: fundamental changes in transatlantic relations are required and, if Europe wants more influence it will also have to deliver. What will the new Alliance look like after the April summit?

Speakers:
- Sven Biscop, Director Security & Global Governance Programme EGMONT, Royal Institute for International Relations, Visiting Professor for European Security at the College of Europe (Bruges) and Ghent University