THE 16th Annual International Symposium

The 16^th Annual International Symposium of the Greek Association for Atlantic & European Cooperation was held on the 3^rd and 4^th December 2007 in the Amphitheatre of the Minister of Foreign Affaires of the Hellenic Republic in Athens; under the general topic “NATO’s challenges in face of the Bucharest Summit 2008:

1. Security and Euro-Atlantic integration, South Eastern Europe
2. Energy Security”

Following the tradition of the previous years, this event counted with the presence of prestigious Politicians, Diplomats, Academics, Military Officers and Representatives of the Civil Society, Non-Governmental Organizations and Women Organizations coming from different countries. The debates between the speakers and the participants of this Symposium, contributed to a common, positive and constructive understanding of the issues discussed.

Besides the discussions held during the Symposium sessions, the participants had the opportunity to set the bases for future cooperation projects in numerous different fields.

Attached, you can find the Programme, both in English and in Greek, along with the Speeches of the Official Opening Ceremony. The speeches are transcript as they were delivered. (Translations will be available soon)

An extensive Executive summary will also be available soon.

The Daily News Bulletin of Wednesday. 5^th December 2007 of the Athens News Agency – Macedonia Press Agency, describe the event as:

Greece’s support to the efforts of its neighboring countries to be incorporated in the Euro-Atlantic structures “under the prerequisite that they fulfill necessary criteria," was declared on Tuesday by Deputy National Defence Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis, opening the sessions of the 16th annual international symposium being organized by the Greek Association for Atlantic & European Cooperation, at the Foreign ministry’s amphitheatre on the theme “NATO: Challenges in view of the Bucharest 2008 Summit”.

In his address, Plakiotakis described as “an interesting challenge for the European Union and NATO, their cooperation in Kosovo, a region where both sides are called on to play an important role.”

At the same time, he stressed that NATO’s presence in the western Balkans does not simply strengthen security and stability, but also helps in taking the region towards the Euro-Atlantic community.

On the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the deputy national defence minister reiterated that “our efforts are centred in the achievement of a mutually acceptable solution. We on our part have shown our good will and we are awaiting from the other side to cover the distance which corresponds to it.”

Referring to the same issue, new U.S. Ambassador in Athens Daniel Speckhard, who also addressed the symposium, stated that the United States is aware of Greece’s concerns on the situation and appreciates its efforts. He expressed hope for the reaching of a mutually acceptable solution before the Bucharest summit, while he hailed the efforts of UN envoy Matthew Nimetz, expressing the hope that he will manage in proceeding in a solution before Bucharest.

Regarding FYROM’s prospects for its accession to NATO, Ambassador Speckhard stated that it is not certain whether an invitation will be issued.

Parallel to the Symposium and following the guidelines of the Greek Association for Atlantic & European Cooperation Educational Programs, there was a Youth Forum that joined outstanding Young

people from South Eastern Europe, along with some selected guests from other parts of the world. The Youth Forum emphasized on the Turkish and Greek dialogue, was organized under the auspices of NATO Public Diplomacy Division, being present the Liaison Officers from both countries, Ms. Despina Afentouli and Ms. Yeter Yaman. 

The Youth Forum has decided to be institutionalized under the name Transatlantic Youth to South Eastern Europe (TRY to SEE) and has become the first step of another Greek Association for Atlantic & European Cooperation Educational Program and a valuable Initiative for the future.

The delegations of Greece and Turkey were composed respectively by around 35 and 20 Young students along with Academic representatives of the most prestigious Universities of both countries. The represented guest countries were Bulgaria, Croatia, Israel, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Russia, Lithuania, and Latvia. 

The main focus of this Youth Forum was to debate on the Greek-Turkish relations and respective security Foreign Policies of these countries. The participants of this Youth Forum had the possibility to accompany the works and events of the Symposium. The Youth Forum took place between the 2nd and the 5th of December.

Read more >>

 

 

---