Dr. Andris Banka, postdoctoral researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Baltic Sea Region Research (IFZO), took part in the 8th European-seminar organized by the Bundeswehr Centre for Public Affairs. The idea behind this event was to enhance the participants’ knowledge of the fundamental principles, parameters and objectives of German security policy and its integration into the European security architecture. Future leaders from numerous European nations were granted an outstanding hands-on opportunity to visit locales that are of special significance to Germany’s foreign and military policy planning such as Berlin, Bonn, Brunssum (The Netherlands) and Brussels (Belgium). During engagements with high-level military and diplomatic representatives, participants gained insight into the inner workings of Germany’s foreign and security policy and its vision for more secure and stable Europe.
Among the topics discussed were also Germany’s role in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. In recent years, Germany has significantly increased its contribution to the Baltic Sea Region security. After Ukraine crises in 2014, it was the first among NATO members to step forward, assume lead-nation status and deploy its combat-ready troops to Lithuania. During the meetings, German representatives affirmed that they take their mission in the Baltics very seriously and are committed to this role as long as it will be deemed necessary by allied partners. As part of its International Relations and Security cluster, IFZO also seeks to develop research agenda regarding Germany’s growing military role in the Baltic Sea region.
Text: Andris Banka