RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) Office for Croatia and Slovenia, successfully concluded the 13th annual Conference on Security Challenges for Europe, held on 25-26 November 2025 in Zagreb. The two-day RACVIAC flagship event once again brought together a diverse community of experts, policymakers, diplomats and academics to discuss pressing security developments in Europe and South-Eastern Europe.
This year’s edition, dubbed “Tide of Change”, focused on global power shifts, the implications of the war in Ukraine, the future of EU enlargement and strategies for strengthening regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration.
This long-standing joint initiative continues to promote informed debate on key transformation processes in the region, particularly in the context of EU and NATO integration, institutional readiness and ongoing security sector reforms – all within the context of a rapidly changing international environment.
Discussions during the conference addressed the profound global shifts in power that are increasingly shaping European security. Special attention was paid to the war in Ukraine, its global implications and the future of EU enlargement. Participants also shared national perspectives on Euro-Atlantic integration, regional cooperation and approaches to strengthening diplomatic and development ties.
The conference was officially opened by Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC, who highlighted the evolution of the conference into one of RACVIAC largest and most recognizable events, facilitating constructive dialogue among academia, policy makers, the diplomatic community and security experts. He noted that this year’s edition focuses not only on global instability and Russian aggression in Ukraine, but also on technological, security and geopolitical trends that will shape the future of South-Eastern Europe.
He welcomed all speakers, moderators and participants, emphasizing that the 2025 edition, dubbed “Tide of Change”, will address pressing global and regional security challenges – from the roots of global instability to the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine, as well as emerging technological and geopolitical dynamics.
“Your presence and your commitment to presenting your views on security challenges in Europe, and in particular in South-Eastern Europe, demonstrate the relevance of the Conference’s topics, as well as the need to address them openly and thoughtfully in a regional forum”, said the RACVIAC Director.
Dr. Norbert Eschborn, Director of the KAS Office for Croatia and Slovenia, emphasized that Europe is in an era of deep uncertainty. Russian aggression in Ukraine, hybrid threats, economic coercion and governance challenges across the region require coordinated and credible responses. He reaffirmed the central role of RACVIAC in strengthening trust, dialogue and security sector governance in South-East Europe.
He stressed that the challenges we face are complex, but our response must be a combination of cooperation, capability and credibility. “Regardless of whether the transatlantic security architecture evolves or not, our responsibility remains the same – to ensure that Europe, and in particular South East Europe, is resilient, secure and ready”, stressed Dr. Eschborn.
In his address H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr. Pascal Hector, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Croatia, highlighted Germany’s interest in the EU accession process, identifying the remaining gaps in the completion of certain accession chapters and encouraging the political leadership to persevere in its efforts to further consolidate and broaden the foundations of enlargement, a common set of values. At its core, this includes further strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and also improving independence from Russian energy sources and Russian influence more generally.
He stressed that Croatia, with its EU security strategy, bases its approach on the same guidelines as Germany, namely active contribution to the development of new capabilities, active participation in multinational projects and active coordination with NATO. These three points clearly show that Germany and Croatia not only share common interests in the field of security and defence policies, but have also reached similar conclusions. These conclusions are already being jointly implemented and will continue to be jointly implemented in concrete measures and projects.
Hristo Hristov, Head of the Political Sector at the European Commission Representation in Croatia, presented the European Commission’s efforts to strengthen production capacities, improve readiness and support Ukraine, emphasizing that the integration of Ukraine into regional defence industries represents an important strategic step forward.
State Secretary Tomislav Galić, Envoy of the Prime Minister and Envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence of the Republic of Croatia, in his address to the audience expressed that the Conference on Security Challenges for Europe has become one of the most prominent security forums in South-Eastern Europe and beyond, bringing together security experts and academic circles to discuss and exchange views on new security challenges. He mentioned that Europe has a lot to face in these challenging times, from conventional warfare to cyber and hybrid activities, including the instrumentalization of supply chains such as energy, food and migration.
He stated that the Russian aggression in Ukraine has significantly changed the European security architecture. The EU has long lacked effective defence capabilities to guarantee its own security. This has changed with the Russian aggression in Ukraine and rising global tensions. In addition, the EU debate on the concept of “strategic autonomy” has never been more important.
State Secretary Galić stressed that Croatia will continue to support Ukraine as much as necessary with political, diplomatic, humanitarian, financial and technical assistance. Furthermore, he stated that while the new EU progress reports signal progress towards membership, especially for Montenegro, Albania and Moldova, other countries must remain committed to reforms and increase alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament, Academician Željko Reiner, Vice-President of the Parliament, stressed that this annual conference is constantly evolving into a platform where regional partners can meet to reflect on achievements and highlight future challenges. He commended RACVIAC for its successful development from operating under the auspices of international partners to embracing regional ownership and serving the priorities of its Members. He also highlighted Croatia’s consistent support for this forum dedicated to addressing current global security challenges. Dr. Reiner stressed that in today’s interconnected world, no nation is immune to wars and conflicts, regardless of geographical distance, and that current generations bear significant responsibility for the future. He highlighted the role of parliaments as a source of expertise and knowledge capable of meaningfully contributing to security-related discussions.
He added that the Croatian Parliament continues to organize high-level visits, conferences, roundtables and initiatives that provide a diplomatic platform for addressing instability and promoting peace. He concluded by noting the importance of openness to different perspectives, as only an inclusive and informed debate can ensure comprehensive security.
The two-day event featured four expert panels:
Panel I, “The Big Wave: Unilateralism vs. Multilateralism,” moderated by Assoc. Prof. Đana Luša (University of Zagreb) and featuring Dr. Vanya Petrova, Dr. Peter Hefele, Dr. Vira Ratsiborynska, and Dr. Sebastian von Münchow as panellists, explored the growing tension between unilateral and multilateral approaches in today’s global order. The discussion offered a nuanced assessment of how the contemporary international landscape is undergoing profound transformations that challenge long-standing principles of cooperation and governance.
The metaphor of the “Big Wave” in international relations underscores the dynamic interplay between unilateral actions and multilateral frameworks, as states increasingly navigate between pursuing independent policies and engaging in collective solutions. This evolving tension significantly influences global economic, technological, and security developments, with notable implications for both the Western Balkans and Europe.
During Panel II, “Economic Warfare and the Tide in South East Europe”, Moderator Dr. Sandro Knezović (IRMO) and panellists Bernard Siman (Vrije University Brussels), Dr. Laris Gaiser (Catholic University of Milan), Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ulrich Blum, and Valentin Ene (E-ARC) explored the strategic deployment of economic instruments and their impact on security dynamics across the region.
The discussion highlighted how the growing prevalence of economic warfare is reshaping regional stability and shifting the balance of influence in South East Europe. Economic pressure has increasingly become a core component of hybrid warfare, enabling both state and non-state actors to sway political processes, weaken competitors, and broaden their spheres of influence—all without resorting to direct confrontation.
Through the deliberate manipulation of trade, investment, and energy resources, economic interdependence can evolve into a subtle yet powerful mechanism of influence, gradually undermining the political and strategic autonomy of smaller states.
The third panel, titled “War in Ukraine in the Shifting Global Constellation,” was expertly moderated by Dr. Vira Ratsiborynska and featured distinguished panellists Ralph D. Tiele (EuroDefense), Prof. Haldun Yalcinkaya (TOBB University), and Dr. Victoria Vdovychenko (University of Cambridge). The discussion examined the profound ways in which Russia’s war in Ukraine has altered global power dynamics. The Panellists emphasized that achieving peace remains a complex challenge, contingent not only upon developments on the battlefield but also on the willingness of global actors to engage in genuine, sustained dialogue.
Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty has reinforced its national identity while simultaneously revitalizing Europe’s sense of unity and strategic purpose. This shared resilience has fostered a renewed awareness of collective responsibility and the imperatives of long-term security planning. The ramifications of the conflict extend far beyond the immediate region, prompting a revaluation of the international security architecture—from NATO’s eastern posture to global energy and defense policies.
In the final analysis the trajectory of this conflict will profoundly influence the global understanding of power, peace, and security, shaping the contours of an international order in the midst of rapid and transformative change.
Panel IV, “The Crest of the Tide: Western Balkans and EU Integration”, moderated by Yana Lyushnevskaya (BBC Monitoring), served as the final session of the conference, addressing the prospects and challenges of EU integration in the Western Balkans. The panel featured distinguished speakers—Dr. Sebastian von Münchow, Ambassador Astrit Zemaj, and Nemanja Purić—who examined the region’s trajectory amid a shifting geopolitical environment and considered the transformative potential of EU accession in fostering political, economic, and social cohesion.
While the Western Balkans have made notable advances toward stability and reform, persistent vulnerabilities—including unresolved ethnic tensions and institutional fragilities—continue to test the region’s resilience and may complicate the pursuit of sustainable prosperity. The discussion highlighted the delicate balance between opportunity and risk, emphasizing the need for sustained engagement, inclusive governance, and strategic regional cooperation.
The Conference concluded with a Closing Perspective by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ulrich Blum, followed by Closing Remarks by Dr. Norbert Eschborn (KAS) and Rear Admiral Predrag Stipanović, Deputy Director of RACVIAC.
The event was attended by more than 170 participants, including over 50 representatives of foreign embassies and 20 Ambassadors, senior level national security policy makers and subject matter experts from the ministries of foreign affairs, ministry of defence, governmental and non-governmental organizations and members of the academic community involved in addressing the contemporary security challenges and policy development processes, confirming its growing importance as a regional platform for dialogue.
