Please join the Atlantic Council for a public conference on The Future of NATO Enlargement and New Frontiers in European Security.  

Recent events in Europe’s east and rising tensions with Russia have resurrected the debate of whether NATO enlargement is provocative or stabilizing. While NATO enlargement has boasted historic success stories, such as Poland and the Baltic States becoming strong and stable democratic allies. But Russia has designated Alliance enlargement as a threat to its national security. In Europe’s challenging new security environment, NATO took a bold step forward to sustain its open door policy by announcing Montenegro’s membership accession, paving the way for the Balkan country to become the Alliance’s 29th member.

With Montenegro poised to potentially join NATO, the Atlantic Council is convening leading experts to discuss the Alliance’s future appetite for enlargement, the political implications of NATO expansion, and what it means for NATO’s frontiers in the south and east.

AGENDA

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Registration

11:30 – 11:40 a.m.
Welcome and Scene-Setter

Mr. Frederick Kempe (@FredKempe), President and CEO, Atlantic Council 

Ambassador Julie Finley, Board Director, Atlantic Council; Founder, US Committee on NATO

Mr. Damon Wilson (@DamonMacWilson), Executive Vice President, Atlantic Council 

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Becoming NATO’s Next Ally: Success Stories and the Road Ahead

Montenegro has secured an invitation to NATO, Georgia has cultivated a substantial relationship with the Alliance, and Ukraine is more ambiguous towards its relations with NATO in the short-term.  This panel will provide perspectives on NATO enlargement from three nations who have varied relationships with the Alliance.

Dr. Hanna Hopko, Head, Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliament of Ukraine 

H.E. Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia 

H.E. Milica Pejanović Đurišić, Minister of Defense of Montenegro 

Moderator:
Ms. Sally Painter (@SallyPainter1), Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Blue Star Strategies; Senior Advisor, Future Europe Initiative, Atlantic Council 

12:30 – 1:25 p.m.
The Impact of Enlargement: Has NATO Provoked the Bear?

Recent events in Europe’s East and rising tensions with Russia have resurrected the debate of whether NATO enlargement is provocative or stabilizing.  This panel will weigh into this debate, discussing the enlargement record and its impact on European security.

Mr. Stephen Biegun, Former Staff Director, Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
H.E. Tinatin Khidasheli (@tinakhidasheli), Minister of Defense of Georgia 

Dr. John Mearsheimer, R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago 

Moderator:
Ms. Laure Mandeville (@lauremandeville), Chief US Correspondent, Le Figaro; Nonresident Senior Fellow, Future Europe Initiative, Atlantic Council 

1:25 – 1:55 p.m.
Lunch Break 

1:55 – 2:45 p.m.
The Future of Enlargement: Is NATO’s Door Still Open?

NATO’s decision to begin the accession process with Montenegro has once again propped open NATO’s door.  While demand for enlargement persists in the Balkans and Europe’s East, major questions loom about the future of enlargement and the credibility of the Open Door policy.  This panel will discuss the Alliance’s appetite for future enlargement.

Mr. Haki Abazi (@arbhaki), Program Director, Western Balkans Program, Rockefeller Brothers Fund 

Dr. Evelyn Farkas (@EvelynNFarkas), Senior Fellow, Future Europe Initiative, Atlantic Council 

H.E. Zoran Jolevski (@ZJolevski), Minister of Defense of Macedonia 

Mr. James O’Brien, Vice Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group 

Moderator:
Mr. Daniel Vajdich (@DanielVajdich), Senior Fellow, Future Europe Initiative, Atlantic Council 

2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
Securing NATO’s New Frontiers 

Gen. Philip Breedlove (@PMBreedlove), Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO; Former Commander, US European Command

Moderator: Mr. Frederick Kempe (@FredKempe), President and CEO, Atlantic Council 

3:30 p.m.
Program Close 

Date:  June 8, 2016
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters (Atlantic Council, 1030 15th St. NW 12th Floor, Washington DC, DC)

On Twitter? Follow @ACScowcroft and tweet with #FutureNATO

Date:  June 8, 2016
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters (Atlantic Council, 1030 15th St. NW 12th Floor, Washington DC, DC)

On Twitter? Follow @ACScowcroft and tweet with #FutureNATO