28th AIES European Forum in Vienna
Europe's Future - time to decide, time to act
Nov 07, 2024 / Vienna / EU Affairs / European Security and Defence
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From November 7th to 8th, 2024, the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) hosted the 28th European Forum at the Vienna School of International Studies (Diplomatische Akademie Wien). In partnership with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies and the Think-Tank Campus Tivoli (former Political Academy), this year’s forum, themed “Europe's Future - Time to Decide, Time to Act", gathered global thinkers to discuss Europe's role at a time when security threats are intensifying and geopolitical landscapes are changing.
Discussions tackled pressing issues like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East, and the shifting dynamics of the transatlantic alliance.
The 28th European Forum attracted over 350 participants and many more online viewers via live-stream. Once again, the forum provided a unique opportunity for in-depth debate and insights, as well as exchanges with an engaged audience.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Addresses
Dr. Werner Fasslabend, President of AIES and former Austrian Minister of Defence of Austria, opened the forum with a call for robust security alliances across Europe to address the mounting crises in Ukraine, the Balkans, and the Middle East. Following his remarks, AIES Director Michael Zinkanell introduced the agenda of the forum, acknowledging the forum’s key partners and setting a purposeful tone for discussions on European security.
Ambassador Emil Brix, Director of the Vienna School of International Studies, emphasized the importance of timely action, urging stronger security engagement from Central European nations. Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner, in a video message, then highlighted Austria’s priorities, focusing on economic, environmental, and military readiness as essential pillars of security.
Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the Think-Tank Campus Tivoli, reinforced the need for a proactive European stance amid increasing global tensions and the influence of external powers on the Balkans. Finally, Mikuláš Dzurinda, President of the Wilfried Martens Centre, stressed the importance of a cohesive European defense strategy, arguing that unity and strategic foresight are crucial to addressing global security challenges.
Keynote Highlights on the 8th of November 2024
Austrian Minister for the EU and Constitution, Karoline Edtstadler, opened her address by advocating for stronger economic resilience across Europe and a unified EU stance on security to better counter external threats. Building on this, Finland’s Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy, Outi Holopainen, discussed Finland’s recent shift to NATO membership, underscoring the critical importance of the EU’s partnerships with NATO, the UK, and the US to bolster collective defense.
Adding to the conversation, Adrian Balutel, Chief of Staff to Moldova’s President, outlined Moldova’s security challenges, particularly regarding Russian influence, and emphasized the urgent need for judicial reforms, economic stability, and enhanced security measures. Lastly, Oleksii Reznikov, former Ukrainian Minister of Defence, provided a compelling account of Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression, calling for a united Western front and highlighting the need for concrete, verifiable security guarantees to ensure long-term stability.
Panels and Discussions
The 28th European Forum Vienna featured three expert panels that examined critical topics related to Europe’s security framework.
The first panel, held on the 7th of November 2024, titled Navigating Europe’s Security Policy, focused on Europe’s need for a cohesive defence strategy to address diverse security challenges. Judy Dempsey, non-resident Senior Fellow at Carnegie Europe, discussed Europe’s historical struggles with fragmented security policies and highlighted the potential of "coalitions of the willing" within the EU to drive effective security initiatives. Denis Cenuşă of the Eastern Europe Studies Centre emphasised the importance of addressing regional security disparities within the EU, proposing strategies to align divergent priorities among member states.
Alina Nychyk, Research Fellow at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, underscored the need for consistent support for Ukraine to counter hybrid threats, noting that Europe’s investment in Ukraine’s defence also strengthens broader EU security with modernized, combat-tested capabilities. Yurii Buhai, from the Reforms Support Office at Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, elaborated on the challenges Ukraine faces in aligning its defence reforms with European standards, stressing the importance of sustained international collaboration to enhance security measures.
The second panel on the 8th of November 2024, called War, Peace, and Stability in Eastern Europe, focused on Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression and the necessity of consistent Western support. Anton Shekhovtsov, Director at the Centre for Democratic Integrity, discussed the challenges of Russian influence in Eastern Europe and the importance of a unified European stance to counter authoritarianism. Andreas Umland from the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies highlighted Ukraine’s nuclear vulnerability post-denuclearisation, warning of the global risks this precedent sets for nuclear policy. Lesia Ogryzko from the Sahaidachny Security Centre in Kyiv emphasized Ukraine’s resilience but underscored the need for sustained Western support to ensure Ukraine’s long-term stability and regional security.
The final panel called The Middle East at a Crossroads, addressed shifting dynamics in the Middle East and their implications for European security. Dlawer Ala'Aldeen, Founding President of the Middle Research Institute in Erbil, discussed Iran’s influence through proxies like Hezbollah and the broader impact of its deterrence strategy on Europe. Mary Fitzgerald, non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, highlighted the strategic vacuum left by reduced U.S. involvement, which Europe is currently unprepared to fill. Wolfgang Pusztai, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the National Council on U.S.-Libya Relations and AIES Senior-Advisor, outlined the role of Turkey and other regional powers, urging a cohesive European policy to address Middle Eastern instability and its potential global impact.
In summary, the 28th European Forum Vienna reaffirmed Europe’s pressing need to adapt its strategies and investments in response to an increasingly complex security environment. The forum emphasised the importance of cohesive, decisive action to establish Europe as a resilient, united, and globally influential force.
The event was organized by AIES with the support of their its cooperation partners, which include the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence, the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, the European Security and Defence College, Land Niederösterreich and the Think-Tank Campus Tivoli.
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