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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
In view of the urgent need for measures to strengthen and renew a European security architecture, small states run the risk of not being heard or even forgotten. How this danger can be averted from the perspective of the Baltic states was one of the central topics at the international conference "Current and Future Security Architecture for the Baltic States and Europe" on 20 and 21 March 2025 in Berlin, at the Representation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to the Federal Government. The conference, which was attended by over 70 participants, resulted in a statement with recommendations.
The international conference was organised by the Academy of Sciences in Hamburg together with the Estonian Academy of Sciences, the Latvian Academy of Sciences, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and the Representation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in Berlin in cooperation with the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH).
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-202...
Go to the German version of the press release ➤ https://www.awhamburg.de/aktuell/presse/pressemitteilungen/detailseite/06-2025-b...
Conference programme ➤ https://www.awhamburg.de/veranstaltungen/aktuelle-termine/detail/current-and-fut...
Image downloads can be used free of charge for press purposes - Copyright: AdWHH / Jann Wilken
➤ https://www.awhamburg.de/aktuell/presse/pressemitteilungen/detailseite/06-2025-i...
Media contact:
Dagmar Penzlin
Press and Publicity
Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg
Telephone: +49 40 42 94 86 69-24
presse@awhamburg.de
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The Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg
The Academy of Sciences in Hamburg brings together top researchers from all areas of science in northern Germany. It helps to intensify co-operation between disciplines, universities and other scientific institutions. It promotes research on socially significant issues of the future and fundamental scientific problems and makes it its special task to stimulate dialogue between science and the public. Prof Dr Mojib Latif has been President of the Academy since 2022. The Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg is a member of the Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities and the German Research Foundation. The Academy's basic funding is provided by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
The conference brought together more than 20 speakers and panellists from the Baltic States and Germ ...
Jann Wilken
AdWHH / Jann Wilken
Involve Baltic states more closely in the development of European security architecture
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