Roundtable “Whose Security Concerns?”

Discussions will focus on security implications of the global economic crisis for Europe, and more specifically for the Black Sea region. The unprecedented scale of the crisis –in terms of both geographic reach and fiscal impact – has forced governments to design emergency recovery plans and rethink global financial safety mechanisms to prevent further fallout. The European Union turned inwards to deal with domestic problems and economic imbalances within the bloc. Also severely affected by the crisis, Russia has nevertheless used the opportunity to reinforce its positions in the neighborhood. The ashes have yet to dissipate to make visible geopolitical and security consequences of the economic downturn. 

The roundtable will start with a panel on Ukraine. The unfortunate sequence of events – deep economic recession, political limbo ahead of the presidential elections, Russia’s assertiveness and Europe’s “Ukraine fatigue” – contributed to Ukraine’s growing uncertainty about its national survival. What options does Ukraine have to escape from the East-or-West logic? What risks does Ukraine’s balancing act entail? Can Ukraine think out of the box about its national interests? The Ukrainian elite does not need another talking shop; this is why the Open Ukraine Foundation expects the roundtable participants to come with innovative ideas and straightforward recommendations.             

Discussions will continue with a panel on security in the Black Sea region. Despite its widely recognized strategic importance, the region is frequently referred to as a grey zone. Experts from around the region will try to put pieces of the puzzle together and make recommendations on how to make this region a cornerstone of European security. 

Finally, the last panel will discuss the place of Europe in global affairs. Will a united Europe ever come into being? Will there be winners and losers? How do the key regional players see their common neighborhood? “The world does not consist of stovepipes, and what happens in the economic realm affects political and strategic policies and realities alike”, said Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations. Indeed, the strength of emerging economies has not left Europe any other choice than to look very carefully at what will be its weigh in global affairs in a few decades.  

The roundtable is organized in partnership with the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Working languages will be English and Ukrainian. Participation is free.  

For press and media accreditation please contact Ruslan Kyrylenko at 044-235-5298, or [email protected]

Additional information: 

The roundtable will be held within the framework of the Kyiv Security Forum, an annual event that provides a platform for regional debates on the most pressing security issues. Held annually in early November, the Kyiv Security Forum brings together key policy- and decision-makers, experts, representatives of business, civil society and media from around the world. The roundtable will serve as a link between the 2009 international conference on security implications of the global crisis and the 4th Kyiv Security Forum, which will be held on 11-12 November 2010. The 2010 Forum will look at the future of collective security and national resilience in Europe. International experts will collectively produce a paper, drawing conclusions on the discussions at the roundtable. This will be used as a background paper for the 4th Kyiv Security Forum.