Shared Responsibility for Security Emphasized by NATO Deputy Secretary General at the Schuman Forum

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and threats to global security continue to evolve, international organizations like NATO must adapt and work collaboratively to address them. With this in mind, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana, recently took part in the Schuman Forum to discuss the importance of collective responsibility when it comes to ensuring the safety and stability of our societies. In this article, we’ll explore Geoana’s key messages from the event and how they relate to NATO’s role in promoting peace and security across the globe.


NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană Calls for Strengthening of NATO-EU Cooperation

On Tuesday (21 March 2023), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană spoke at the Schuman Security and Defence Forum in Brussels. His speech emphasized the importance of working with like-minded partners and organizations to protect the rules-based international order. Mr Geoană highlighted the mounting pressure on international order due to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, emphasizing that our security is at stake. In this context, he underscored the need for greater collaboration between NATO and the European Union (EU).

Mr Geoană’s co-panelists shared similar concerns about the threats to the multilateral system. The panel featured Helga Schmid, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense and Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations, and Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States. The discussion was moderated by Dr Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe, and focused on “upholding multilateralism and rules-based international order.”

One of the key points raised in Mr Geoană’s speech was the need for strengthening NATO-EU cooperation. In recent years, NATO-EU cooperation has reached unprecedented levels, particularly in the wake of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The NATO-EU Joint Declaration signed in 2016 laid the foundation for this cooperation, with both organizations committing to working together on common challenges such as hybrid threats, cyber attacks, and terrorism. This cooperation has since deepened to include joint military exercises, information sharing, and collaboration in crisis management.

Mr Geoană acknowledged that there have been challenges in this partnership, but he stressed that the benefits of closer cooperation outweigh the costs. He called for further progress in the areas of defense planning, capability development, and defense industry collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of increasing the EU’s contributions to NATO missions and operations.

The panelists emphasized the need for a global approach to tackling the challenges facing the rules-based international order. They highlighted the role of regional organizations such as OSCE and ASEAN in promoting peace, security, and cooperation within and between regions. They also stressed the importance of the UN in upholding international law and resolving conflicts peacefully.

In conclusion, Mr Geoană’s speech emphasized the urgency of the threats facing the international system and the need for greater collaboration between NATO and the EU to meet these challenges. The discussion at the Schuman Security and Defence Forum reinforced the importance of multilateralism and rules-based international order in maintaining global stability and prosperity.