No.32. (05/12/2003)

"The Transformation of the Atlantic Alliance in the Age of Global Threats"
NATO conference, Parliament, 27.11.2003

During the Hungarian Republic's first years in the North Atlantic Alliance the Hungarian National Assembly made serious efforts to inform politicians as well as the public about NATO affairs and to make an account of the duties and tasks emanating from the country's NATO membership. The NATO conferences organised by our Assembly were met with great appreciation and were characterised also by the highest possible level of attendance from Hungarian political, military as well as NATO circles.

As in the previous years the Parliament organized the 8^th annual autumn NATO conference in 2003. The conference was held on 27 November 2003 almost one year after the Prague Summit where the Alliance had started its historic work to enlarge and reform the Atlantic Alliance. The 8^th annual autumn NATO conference was entitled: "The Transformation of the Atlantic Alliance in the Age of Global Threats".

The Hungarian National Assembly with its own special means continues to support the renewal of the Alliance as well as the country's efforts to act as a responsible NATO member. Furthermore, it is also the Parliament's intention to continue the communication with the interested public in this vital national matter.

New security risks and challenges are threatening the basic values and peaceful existence of the nations of the Euro-Atlantic area. The aim of our conference was to inform and prepare the new generation of politicians and the public of these new dangers.

PROGRAMME

The Transformation of the Atlantic Alliance in the Age of Global Threats

VIII. International NATO Conference
Budapest, 27 November 2003

Welcoming speech: Dr. Péter Sárdi, Head of the Office for Foreign Relations

Opening speech: Dr. Katalin Szili, Speaker of the National Assembly

Introductory presentations

• "Security and Defence Policy Strategies of the Hungarian Republic and NATO at the Beginning of the Third Millennium"
  László Kovács, Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Ambassador Adam Kobieracki, Assistant Secretary General for Operations
  The Transformation of the Atlantic Alliance in the Age of Global Threats
• Questions, discussion

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I. panel

"The place of the Atlantic Alliance in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture in the fight against the new type of challenges"

Moderator: Gábor Hárs, Vice-Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee

Presentations:

• Ambassador Dominique Struye de Swielande, Representative of Belgium on the North Atlantic Council
  NATO's new missions (NATO-EU relations)
• Ambassador Gebhardt von Moltke, Former Representative of Germany on the North Atlantic Council
• Mihály Balla, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee
• János Herman Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Hungarian Republic on the North Atlantic Council
  NATO's partnership relations and the new challenges
• Questions, discussion

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II. panel
"The old and new missions of the Allied Forces from the collective defence to the peacekeeping operations"

Moderator: Mr. Mihály Balla, Vice-Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee

Presentations:

• Imre Iváncsik, Political State Secretary for the Ministry of Defence
  The results and practice of the Hungarian Defence Review

• Dr. István Simicskó, Vice-Chairman of the Defence Committee

• András Havril, Deputy Chief of Staff
  The changing Hungarian Armed Forces in the light of the new missions and tasks

• Questions, debate

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III. panel
"The contribution of the Parliaments and public for an effective and successful defence and security policy"

Moderator: Dr. Mátyás Eörsi, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee

Presentations:

• Major General Winfried Dunkel, Deputy Director of the George C. Marshall European Center
  The role of the Marshall Center in shaping today's and tomorrow's security environment of America, Europe and Eurasia.

• David Hobbs, Deputy Secretary General of the NATO PA
  The priorities and activities of the NATO PA

• Péter Karsai, Vice-Chairman of the Defence Committee

• Dr. György Bánlaki, President of the Hungarian Atlantic Council
  The NGOs' role in forming a Hungarian foreign and security policy

• Questions, debate, closing remarks

Reception in the Danube Corridor of the Parliament (given by Mr. Mihály Balla, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee)

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