Towards a New European Security Architecture

The Presence of Guarantor Powers in Cyprus would undermine the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy

The EU has a long way to go in order to develop a credible and independent Defense and Security Policy

The Republic of Cyprus could play a vital role within the European Security Architecture

On November 14, 2003 the Research and Development Center – Intercollege organized a successful conference entitled “Towards a New European Security Architecture”. The conference was supported by the European Parliament Information Office in Cyprus and the European Movement – Cyprus Council.

The contributors’ addresses were focused on three core issues: first, on the role of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in the new international security architecture; second, on the role of Turkey in the European Security environment; and third, on the role of Russia in the new international security environment.

There were different perspectives on the future of the CFSP. Professor Avineri presented a skeptical view about the capacity of the EU to play a credible role either in international or in regional security and defense issues. He expressed his doubts about the development of European defense and security policies independently of NATO and of the USA. On the other hand, professor Reychler presented an optimistic view about the future of the CFSP. He is of the opinion that CFSP could not only overcome the setbacks and the failures of the past, but it could also undertake new Petersburg missions beyond FYROM and Congo.

The role of Turkey in the new European security architecture was the most interesting issue of the conference. It was suggested that the military presence of Turkey in Cyprus produces problems to the EU’s CFSP. The chair of the conference, prof. Theophanous raised a question about the compatibility of the proposed regime of guarantees for Cyprus with the philosophy of the CFSP. All speakers agreed that the provision for guarantor powers in Cyprus would undermine the credibility of EU’s CFSP and, therefore, that issue should be reexamined.

Finally, Mrs. Abatova made an interesting presentation about the role of Russia in the new European Security Architecture. She assumed that Russia has a significant role to play both regionally and internationally and it seeks to be included in future arrangements.

Summary of the Conference’s Conclusions entitled:

“Towards a New European Security Architecture”