06/2025 Involve Baltic states more closely in the development of European security architecture

The conference brought together more than 20 speakers and panellists from the Baltic States and Germany to discuss the question of what constitutes a security architecture in Europe. The presentations and discussions focussed on four main topics:
• conceptual considerations,
• historical backgrounds and developments in Russia, the Baltic states and Europe,
• the disintegration of the European security and peace architecture after the 1990s,
• possible future scenarios.

Regardless of earlier deteriorations and signs, all participants agreed on the dramatic effects triggered by the comprehensive Russian war of aggression on Ukraine in February 2022. This has destroyed the remaining common elements of collective security in Europe as it had developed over many decades.

According to the statement, the results of the conference consist of four key findings. If the interests and challenges of the Baltic states are taken seriously, this will have several effects.

1. There is an urgent need to increase the West's military deterrence by radically strengthening Europe's role in it.
    
2. Measures to prevent and combat hybrid warfare and attacks by Russian actors (in cyberspace, on infrastructure, through disinformation and deception, etc.) must be recognised and implemented quickly. These no longer only threaten the Baltic states, but have also become a curse for the rest of Europe.
    
3. There is an urgent need for an even stronger commitment from European states to ensure security and support for Ukraine. It is up to a stronger Europe to ensure that Ukraine remains capable of defending itself against Russian aggression and that it is not just on paper but has a seat at the table when it comes to serious talks on conflict resolution backed by European security commitments. This includes a stronger role for the European Union (EU) together with the UK, Norway and other willing and like-minded countries, as long as a deepening of a common European defence and military integration is prevented by veto players within the EU.
    
4. At the same time, there is a strong common interest in maintaining support for the USA and its continued integration into NATO. The USA remains indispensable for European security, at least in the short term. Even if the European states do turn the tide decisively, it will take years before they can replace the US contribution to European security. But they had better start quickly.

You can find the entire statement in German and English here ➤ https://www.awhamburg.de/magazin/stellungnahme-zur-internationalen-konferenz-2025.html

Go to the German version of the press release ➤ https://www.awhamburg.de/aktuell/presse/pressemitteilungen/detailseite/06-2025-baltische-staaten-in-den-aufbau-europaeischer-sicherheitsarchitektur-staerker-einbeziehen.html

Conference programme ➤ https://www.awhamburg.de/veranstaltungen/aktuelle-termine/detail/current-and-future-security-architecture-for-the-baltic-states-and-europe.htm

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Media contact:
Dagmar Penzlin
Press and Publicity
Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg
Telephone: +49 40 42 94 86 69-24
presse(at)awhamburg.de
www.awhamburg.de

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