2014 Ahtisaari Symposium Keynote: The Crisis of Euro-Atlantic Security
On May 5, 2014, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger – Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, and Distinguished Scholar with the Global Europe Program at the Wilson Center – delivered the keynote address on “The Crisis of Euro-Atlantic Security” at the 2014 Ahtisaari Symposium.
On May 5, 2014, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger – Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, and Distinguished Scholar with the Global Europe Program at the Wilson Center – delivered the keynote address on “The Crisis of Euro-Atlantic Security” at the 2014 Ahtisaari Symposium. Central to Ambassador Ischinger’s remarks was the crisis with Russia and Ukraine, which he believes forces the Euro-Atlantic community to clarify its priorities and provides an opportunity to refocus and revitalize the transatlantic partnership. The Ambassador argues that: “while the crisis has helped us get some of our priorities straight, none of this means our options are easy or clear-cut.” As the West continues to monitor the situation, Ambassador Ischinger advocates for a twin strategy of “denying Putin opportunities in Europe while pursuing a dialogue with him about cooperation in the interests of all…as difficult as that may be in current circumstances.” The Ambassador concluded his remarks by underlining the urgency of “explaining strategic objectives to each other, and laying the groundwork for a credible and sustainable re-affirmation of principles of European and global security.”
To read the full text of Ambassador Ischinger’s speech, please refer to the document below.
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About the Author
Wolfgang Ischinger
Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), former State Secretary (Deputy Foreign Minister) of Germany, formerly Germany's Ambassador to the U.S.
Global Europe Program
The Global Europe Program addresses vital issues affecting the European continent, U.S.-European relations, and Europe’s ties with the rest of the world. It does this through scholars-in-residence, seminars, policy study groups, media commentary, international conferences and publications. Activities cover a wide range of topics, from the role of NATO, the European Union and the OSCE to European energy security, trade disputes, challenges to democracy, and counter-terrorism. The program investigates European approaches to policy issues of importance to the United States, including globalization, digital transformation, climate, migration, global governance, and relations with Russia and Eurasia, China and the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Read more
Kennan Institute
The Kennan Institute is the premier U.S. center for advanced research on Russia and Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, and the region through research and exchange. Read more
