Agenda for Future Leaders' Forum

09.30 – 10.00

Registration

21^ST CENTURY NATO: DEFENSE OF EASTERN AND SOUTHERN FLANKS

Since Wales summit NATO has moved from reassurance to deterrence erasing peculiar distinction between “old” and “new” members. NATO has finally adopted credible deterrence for its Eastern flank by establishment of the Enhanced Forward Presence. It has also approved a long list of measures to deal with the situation in the Southern flank. However, the question remains if this will be enough to provide 360° protection and security to all the Allies in circumstances where adversaries and potential adversaries don’t abide by any rules or previously agreed commitments and are keen on using escalatory rhetoric. Will NATO’s Warsaw Summit decision be enough in these circumstances?

10.00 – 11.30

Opening Discussion

Dr Balkan Devlen, Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations in Izmir University of Economics, Turkey

Gen Sir Richard Shirreff, former Deputy Supreme Commander NATO Europe

Dr Ieva Bērziņa, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Security and Strategic Research of the National Defence Academy of Latvia

Moderator: Ms Guna Šnore, Programme Officer of the Engagement Section,  NATO

11.30 – 12.00

Coffee Break     National Library of Latvia

WEAPONISATION OF INFORMATION IN MODERN CONFLICTS

Information has been an important element of conflicts since ancient times. Misleading opposing commanders, robbing soldiers of the will to fight or even frightening civilians – were the methods used in conflicts of previous centuries. Yet, since the annexation of Crimea and the rise of DAESH, the term “information warfare” is becoming a more visible part of political discourse of the transatlantic community. This panel will focus on several questions: What is the role of information in contemporary conflicts? What has changed from previous centuries? What are the implications for modern commanders and political decision makers?

12.00 – 13.30

Panel Discussion

Mr Jānis Sārts, Director of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, Latvia

Mr Giles Portman, Head of East Stratcom Task Force at European External Action Service, United Kingdom

Mr Stanislavs Hilcuks, Member of the Board & COO of APPLY Inteligent Technologies, Latvia

Moderator: Mr Maris Cepurītis, Researcher, Centre for East European Studies, Latvia

13.30 – 15.30

Lunch     National Library of Latvia

DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS IN MEMBER STATES IN THE FUTURE OF ALLIANCE

NATO's Open Door policy has helped close the Cold War-era divisions in Europe. NATO enlargement has contributed to spreading democracy, security and stability further across Europe. Member states have overcome economic crisis and reached new agreements with each other. However, the alliance faces new security challenges. Will there be harmonization policies between NATO member states? Can the alliance find a solution to the migrant crisis in Europe, political volatility in Turkey, and most importantly, can it successfully fight terrorism in all of its forms?

15.30 – 16.30

Panel Discussion

Mr James Kirchick, Fellow with the Foreign Policy Initiative, journalist and foreign correspondent in Washington, USA

Mr Tod Lindberg, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, USA

H.E. Mr Hayri Hayret Yalav, Ambassador, Turkish Embassy in Riga, Turkey

Moderator: Ms Elisabeth Braw, Senior Consultant at Control Risks and a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council

16.30 – 17.00

Coffee Break     National Library of Latvia

MORNING PANEL OF EMINENT PERSONS ON COMMON EUROPEAN SECURITY

PROSPECTS OF COOPERATIVE SECURITY IN EUROPE: BACK TO DIPLOMACY?

Session is held under the 'Chatham House Rule'

8.30 – 9.30

Morning Session

9.30 - 10.00

Coffee Break 

10.00 - 13.30

Scenario Simulation in Workgroups

13.30 - 15.00

Lunch

15.00 - 16.30

    Presentation of workgroup scenarios

16.30 - 17.00

    Coffee Break

17.00 – 18.30 Concluding Discussion

Sir Robert Cooper, Former diplomat, Member of European Council on Foreign Relations and Head of Editorial Team of the Panel of Eminent Persons on European Security Special Advisor at the European Commission

H.E. Mr Thomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia

Dr. Constanze Stelzenmüller, Robert Bosch Senior Fellow with the Centre on the United States and Europe at Brookings

Moderator: Mr Anton La Guardia, Deputy Foreign Editor at the Economist

Concluding remarks: H.E. Mr Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia