Today, on September 26 the Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser held a speech at the high rank Senior Executive Seminar “ European Security Architecture and the Future of Cooperative Security” in George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. The topic of the speech was “Security arrangements in Europe and beyond: A NATO Aspirant’s Perspective”.
The Senior Executive Seminar designated to meet the specific needs of senior civilian officials, including parliamentarians, and military officers to assess a series of key issues which must be addressed in the contemporary and foreseeable security environment, took place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany between Sept. 16-26.
The Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser held his speech on the last day of the seminar which was dedicated to aspirant countries seeking membership in NATO and/or EU and their visions on what membership will bring to their country and what contribution in these institutions will make to European and world security in general.
In his speech the Minister analyzed views of the aspirant countries, but foremost those of Estonia on the issues of possible NATO and EU membership.
“Over half a century, the European Union and NATO have been promoting stability and well-being in the Euro-Atlantic area. They have been doing so with success that is unprecedented in world history. (---) The Central and Eastern European nations, too, have abided by these noble, Western principles ever since the iron curtain was raised. They have done so by participating in numerous peace support operations in Europe and elsewhere, and over the last year in the global fight against terrorism,” Mikser said in his speech.
The seminar was divided into six parts: The Futire of European Security; Key European Security Institutions; Major Security Issues; The US in European Security Architecture; Russia in European Security Architecture and Views of NATO/EU Aspirants and Conclusions. The speeches were followed by panel- and group discussions.
The Center is a renowed international education institution that promotes dialogue and understanding among the the nations of America, Europe and Eurasia. The George C. Marshall European Center or Security Studies was dedicated on June 5, 1993. The mission of the institution is to continue the legacy, goals and ideals of G.C. Marshall through the defence education initiatives.
The speech of the Minister of Defence can be reached on the address: http://mod.gov.ee/ under Minister’s speeches .