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The
Contemporary
Transatlantic
Security
Environment: European Perspectives H.E. Yannos Papantoniou Minister of National Defense Greece JFK School of Government April 4, 2003 Listen to the Minister's address |
Cambridge,
MA
(4
April
2003)
-
H.E.
Yannos
Papantoniou,
Minister
of
National
Defense
of
Greece,
delivered
a
lunch
address
hosted
by
the
Kokkalis
Program
on
Southeastern
and
East-Central
Europe
at
the
John
F.
Kennedy
School
of
Government.
The
Minister
received
a
warm
reception
from
Harvard
faculty,
students
and
guests,
who
engaged
him
in
a
substantive
dialogue
on
contemporary
international
security
issues.
Minister
Papantoniou
was
accompanied
by
a
high-level
delegation
from
the
Ministry
of
Defense,
which
included
Secretary-General
Spyridon
Travlos
and
Deputy
Director
General
Demetrios
Nezeritis.
Minister Papantoniou's address, 'European Perspectives on the New Transatlantic Security Environment', focused on the relations between the European Union and United States in the climate of the Iraqi crisis. Criticizing the resort to unilateralism to address crises in the international arena, Minister Papantoniou argued that, security "can only be assured through a combination of multiple elements, including military capability, political cooperation and common policies in order to face any possible dangers." He stressed the need for UN involvement in the post-war reconstruction and development of Iraq "not only for securing [the UN's] role…but also for securing international support for Iraq's transition to democracy." Minister Papantoniou also addressed developments in EU defense unification efforts and their role in contributing to transatlantic cooperation, noting in particular Greece's achievements in promoting the creation of the European Reaction Force for operational action. He concluded his talk by stressing the need for EU member countries and the US to temper their positions "in order to reach common ground for facing the challenges and threats of the future." Minister Papantoniou's dynamism and commitment to contributing to regional and transatlantic cooperation and security served as a source of inspiration to the many students engaged in the study of leadership and public service who were present at the event. |
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Copyright 2000 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College.
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