Euro-Atlantische Vereniging van België

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Past activities

Belgian fight against terrorism (Ghent, 23 November 2007)

 

On November 23rd, 2007, Mr. Delmulle, spoke at the Leopoldkazerne in Ghent, about the battle against terrorisme; over which he holds responsability at the federal level. Mr. Mark Quintyn, President of the BEAA, section East-Flanders, took the initiative to invite this high-profile speaker.  There was a remarkable turnout, and a highly attentive crowd. Press and television were present. You can read the full report (in Dutch) here.

Achilles Seminar (Washington DC, 16-19 October 2006)

If the challenges ahead for the transatlantic relations are not on the top of your mind every day, it is a main concern for all the people that took the floor during the Achilles Seminar on Transformation and the Transatlantic Relationship. The Atlantic Council of the US (USAC) gathered 37 participants form all over Europe, from Russia, Canada and the US, to examine military transformation in a national and global context. To this end, the USAC invited government officials, think tank analysts and other experts to offer briefings and to dialogue with this “future generations of leaders” about defence policy in all its aspects.

 

Without exception, every speakers stressed the impact 9/11 has had on the international community in general, and on the Transatlantic Alliance in particular. They underlined how reality has forced NATO to transform from a military alliance focussed on containment, to a military alliance committed to a broader approach on security. Further, not only did NATO have to step away form its narrow focus on Europe, in contemporary defence strategies military means have become only one tool of a much broader spectrum.

Although this seemed a rather logical evolution in the history of the Alliance to us, the 37 participants, it was emphasised that getting this mental shift to take place in the heads of the Allies, is quite an endeavour. This was beyond doubt a very insightful seminar for all of us, well worth the incredible jetlag some of us had to face. Many thanks to the USAC.

Useful documents and related links: Theodore C. Achilles-biography, program of the seminar, speakers biographies, The Atlantic Council of the US, Allied Command Transformation, USS KEARSARGE.

European defence project - BEAY debate night (Brussels, 30 May 2006)

Mr. Géry Vanhalsberghe, who won the Euro-Atlantic Prize of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 2005 took the floor in a vivid debate night entitled The European Defence Project: Key Issues related to the creation of the European Armament Agency.  The speaker started off by stating that: "We can consider the NATO’s summit of Copenhagen (6 and 7 June 91) like the ESDI born place. For the first time this new word was introduced in the NATO vocabulary. So, since its beginning, the ESDI has been in relation with NATO even if France had preferred a completely separated project. But it was impossible to do (manage?) something without NATO at this time. A European project without NATO was simply not credible at this time. The best example is that Europe was not able in the 90’s to stop the war in the Balkans. Most of all the European equipment was not on the top. It was impossible for French and British to make air strike raid against the Serbian army during rainy night just because of a lack of laser-bomb. So the American did the job. At the same time, Europeans were starting another defence project but this time without USA. It was in the Maastricht summit. They created the European security and defence policy (ESDP).

Read more in Mr. Vanhalsberghe's personal preparation.

NATO Council simulation (Lisbon, 25-28 April 2006)

The purpose of this exercise was to simulate an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council, in response to an international crisis. NATO member states had to agree upon a crisis management operation. The escalation of tension led to a scenario wheren several Alliance members had to defend their sometimes conflicting interests and opposing views on how to maintain the international order. Theatre of all this: the Portuguese capital Lison. Ever-active BEAY-member Liesbeth Goossens participated in the event and wrote quite a personal report: "You know how it goes: ... What is your name?... Where are you from?... How old are you? The usual questions every time young people meet at a conference or during a trip. At the NATO Council Simulation organised by the Comissão Portuguesa do Alântico, 2 other questions were however more important when people met:...Who are you? and, Have you done this before?... For insiders to know that the first question corresponded with ‘Which country do you represent?’ and the second question with ‘Have you participated in a simulation exercise before?' Read more by clicking here!

ELDR Conference on the future of Kosovo (Brussels, 18 April 2006)

Kosovo should be granted independence so that it can move away from the uncertainty and legal limbo in which it is confined. Independence accompanied with guarantees for the protection of minority rights will enable Kosovo to tackle important issues such as improving education and employment and move forwards on the path to European integration. This was the outcome of the pan Liberal Democrat conference that took place on Saturday 8th April to discuss the future status of Kosovo. BEAY-member Liesbeth Goossens attended this conference and delivered this splendid report. If you want to learn more about this confernce, as well as the ELDR, you can also visit the ELDR-website.

Which security concept for the EU within a multipolar world? BEAY debate night (Brussels, 28 March 2006)

The Belgian Euro-Atlantic Youth (BEAY) is very pleased indeed to have welcomed René Leray (advisod DG Relex / European Commission) for a very interesting speech about the European common defense en security. Mr. Leray pointed out very clearly that, thanks to its shared history, Europe is committed to work towards a common foreign policy.  Below are some pictures of the event that took place at the Egmont Hall of the Prince Albert Club. You can also read the report our BEAY-member Silvia Raccagni wrote on this event.

 

WAC conference on Azerbaijan (Brussels, February 24th 2006)

World Azerbaijanis Congress (WAC) organised an interesting conference on the "Role of European Neighbourhood Policy to the resolution process of Karabakh conflict in Azerbaijan". The conference was held at the Residence Palace, International Press Center in Brussels. You can check the invitation and the website for more info. Our always-active BEAY-member Liesbeth was present and wrote this great report.

Iran's Foreign Policy - BEAY debate night (Brussels, 31 January 2006)

 The Belgian Euro-Atlantic Youth held its monthly debate night about the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Foreign Policy. Speaker was Mr Nico van Dijk of the Institute for International and European Policy at the University of Leuven. The debate took place at the Egmont Hall of the Prince Albert Club (Rue de Petits Carmes / Karmelietentraat 20, 1000 Brussel - above Petit Sablon / Kleine Zavel). Click here to read the report Silvia Raccagni wrote on this successful evening.