Antall József Autumn Seminar

Antall József Autumn Seminar

EU-V4 Department | Talent Management

The programme of the Antall József Autumn Seminar started on 24 November with the online conference entitled Foreign and Security Policy Conference 2020 - Intelligence and National Security beyond Industry 4.0. With the assistance of national and international experts, the conference examined security challenges originating from the new technological development, bearing in mind that Hungary and its allies continue to be at the forefront of scientific development. The event put special emphasis on the rapid development of information technology and its vital role in our everyday lives and national economies, taking into consideration challenges coming from the cyber space and the new type of arms race between national security bodies. The speakers of the opening remarks were Klára BREUER (International Director, National University of Public Service); HE Paul FOX (Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Hungary) and Zsolt CSEPREGI (Deputy Director for International Affairs, Antall József Knowledge Centre) while an opening lecture was held by Péter KERESZTES (Deputy Head of Department, Director for Analysis, Information Office, Hungary). 

The first panel discussion entitled Global Threats Originating from and Possibilities Offered by New Technologies offered an insight into new technologies, with special regard to potential uses of space and satellites in intelligence, as well as the future of information gathering in the fight between great powers and in countering terrorism. During the panel, special attention was paid to cooperation frameworks after the Brexit, the cooperation dimension of NATO-EU, information aspect of hybrid warfare and how these platforms were disrupted or potentially developed by reactions to the COVID–19 crisis. Speakers of the discussion were Beyza UNAL (Deputy Director, International Security Programme, Chatham House); Wolfgang KOCH (Head of Sensor Data and Information Fusion Working Group, University of Bonn) and Dávid SZESZTAI (Head of Department for Space Research and Space Activities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary). The discussion was moderated by Péter STEPPER (Senior Researcher, Antall József Knowledge Centre).

The second panel of the conference entitled Intelligence Cooperation in the Cyber Space and Beyond discussed the future of intelligence gathering procedures and cybersecurity in the accelerating technological environment, which are complemented by the application of drones and AI that facilitate the process of information gathering and analysis. The experts discussed the most important cooperation opportunities among the Euro-Atlantic community in the field of cybersecurity. The panel also raised the question of how different approaches to intelligence cooperation and the utilisation of cyberspace may affect responses to global pandemics such as COVID–19.

Speakers of the discussion were Sir David Bruce OMAND (Professor, Department of War Studies, King’s College London; Former Director of the Government Communications Headquarters, United Kingdom); Csaba KRASZNAY (Head, Institute of Cyber Security, National University of Public Service) and Kilian VIETH-DITLMANN (Project Manager, Digital Rights, Surveillance and Democracy, Stiftung Neue Verantwortung). The panel was moderated by Zsolt CSEPREGI (Deputy Director for International Affairs, Antall József Knowledge Centre).

In the afternoon the participants could learn more about the mission of the Antall József Knowledge Centre and the Antall József Autumn Seminar. After the organisers’ welcome remarks, they participated at the lecture entitled Central European Talks, which was held by Doris PACK (President, Robert Schuman Institute) on key social and political developments and emerging trends in Central Europe.

After the lecture the participants attended the panel discussion entitled “Writing History or an Economic Textbook”–EU’s Response to the Pandemic. The panel discussed the EU’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the instruments implemented by the EU institutions, and whether they are really of historic significance. The experts concentrated also on the consequences of this crisis for the EU and the possible developments in the future. Speakers of the panel were Stefano DA EMPOLI (President, Brussels Office, I-Com); Zsolt DARVAS (Senior Fellow, Bruegel) and Jarolim ANTAL (Director, Centre for European Studies, Prague University of Economics and Business). The discussion was moderated by Alessandro D’ONOFRIO (Senior Researcher, AJKC).

The last panel discussion of the first day was the panel entitled “From Inside Out–Interpretations of Central Europe”. The aim of this panel was to explore what Central Europe means for the “core” countries, the V4, and how it is understood from a transatlantic point of view. The experts tried to understand the foreign policy relations and strategies of these countries and find out where the region and regional cooperation stands in these strategies. Speakers of the panel were Tomás STRAZAY (Director, Slovak Foreign Policy Association); Irena GÖTZOVÁ (Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Czech Republic to Hungary); Scott CULLINANE (Executive Director, US-Europe Alliance) and Agata TATARENKO (Head, Department of the Visegrad Group, Institute of Central Europe). The panel was moderated by András Máté LÁZÁR (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

The second day of the Antall József Autumn Seminar started with the panel discussion on North-South energy infrastructure projects. The experts discussed North-South energy infrastructure projects with special attention to Central European efforts aiming to boost resilience and capacity building in the region from a security and economic perspective. Speakers of the panel were Ian BRZEZINSKI (Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council); Tamás VÖRÖS (Head, Energy and Climate Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary) and Szymon KARDAS (OSW – Center for Eastern Studies, Poland). The discussion was moderated by Péter STEPPER (Senior Researcher, AJKC). 

The first panel in the afternoon entitled Vision for the Future of EU–What’s next in times of uncertainty? discussed challenges of the future of EU with special regards on the EU's fiscal policy and the crossroads regarding the development of global economic trends. Speakers of the panel were Viktor KECSKÉS (Head of Department, Ministry of Justice); Juraj HAJKO (Analyst, Project manager, Slovak Foreign Policy Association) and Petr ZAHRADNÍK (Former Member of the European Economic and Social Committee). The discussion was moderated by Péter DOBROWIECKI (Head of Research, AJKC).

The next panel entitled Shifting Powers–US-China Relations from Different Perspectives focused on the possible impacts of the presidential elections on the US-China relations, the future of 5G and its national security risks, and also possible future scenarios concerning the trade war and the escalating tensions between the two global powers. Speakers of the panel were Viktor FRIEDMANN (Researcher, Budapest Metropolitan University); Tamás MATURA (Research Fellow, Corvinus University of Budapest); Filip SEBOK (Research Fellow, AMO) and Alicja BACHULSKA (Analyst, Asia Research Centre, War Studies University). The panel was moderated by Norbert MIKLÓS (International Relations Manager, AJKC).

The experts of the following panel discussion entitled Unpacking 2020–Milestones of a US Election Year highlighted the most important elements of the American electoral race and explained their significance, anticipating the paths the new presidential term might undertake. The panellists were Klementina KOZMA, (Research Fellow, American Studies Research Institute, University of Public Service) and Máté KALÓ (Independent Analyst). The discussion was moderated by Ryan BROCKHAUS (Senior Fellow, The Hungarian Initiatives Foundation).

The panel discussion was followed by a lecture entitled EU-US Relations After the Elections 2020 with Daniel KOCHIS (Senior Policy Analyst in European Affairs, The Heritage Foundation). Mr Kochis summarised his expectations regarding the foreign policy of the Biden administration. As he highlighted, the new administration will not favour either a robust military engagement of the US overseas, nor will they support robust military spending. According to him, Washington will reemphasise multilateral engagements, and coordination with Brussels will be more important than with individual nation states. European states that have different views either on the future of Europe or on certain social issues are going to face criticism from the US.

The programme on 26 November started with the panel discussion entitled NATO’s Future in Europe–German-US Relations and Its Effects on the Alliance. The experts discussed expectations towards the Biden administration in terms of foreign relations, as well as Turkey's role in future NATO cooperation. They voiced their doubt that a big change will ensue in US-German relations, however they expect that the tone of the discussions will change for the better. Speakers of the discussion were Matthew RHODES (Professor of National Security Studies, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies); Péter RADA (Associate Professor, National University of Public Service) and Johannes THIMM (Senior Fellow, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik). The moderator of the panel was Péter STEPPER (Senior Research Fellow, Antall József Knowledge Centre).

The discussion was followed by a lecture entitled Eastern Partnership – What’s Next? with Mathieu BOUSQUET (Head of Unit, Georgia & Moldova, Neighbourhood East and Institution Building, Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission). Mr Bousquet discussed the overall framework of the Eastern Partnership, reviewing the achievements regarding the past 10 years. He also touched upon the future plans and policy objectives as well as how the framework is used to help countries tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic consequences.

The first panel in the afternoon entitled Data Capitalism and the Social Dilemma–Privacy Today discussed the different aspects of fake news, especially the challenges it provides when attempting to regulate its spread. The discussion also included the EU level attempts in this field, such as the Digital Services Act. The panellists were János Tamás PAPP (Lecturer, Pázmány Péter Catholic University); Radim POLČÁK (Vice-Rector for Development, Legal and Information Technologies, Masaryk University) and Balázs BARTÓKI-GÖNCZY (Head of Outer Space and Social Sciences Research Group and assistant professor, University of Public Service). The panel was moderated by Zsombor Szabolcs PÁL (Senior Research Fellow, Antall József Knowledge Centre).

The discussion was followed by a lecture entitled Why does it matter? The Value of Valid Information in the 21st Century with Matej SPIŠÁK (Research Fellow, Strategic Policy Institute). Mr Spišák discussed the concept of propaganda and its current role in the online sphere. He also presented the findings of a research conducted in Slovakia regarding the spread of misinformation about Covid-19.

The last programme of the day was a fireside chat with Miriamm LEXMANN (MEP, European People’s Party) and Balázs HAMAR (Deputy Director, Head of Brussels Office, Antall József Knowledge Centre). Thanks to MEP Ms Lexmann the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the work of the European Parliament and the parliamentary committees she works in, and to gain insight into her biggest achievements as an MEP.

On 27 November the Antall József Autumn Seminar finished with a discussion with Attila STEINER (State Secretary for EU Affairs, Ministry of Justice) with the moderation of Balázs HAMAR (Deputy Director, Head of Brussels Office, Antall József Knowledge Centre). State-Secretary Steiner highlighted various important aspects with regards to the European climate debate and climate neutrality, the Multiannual Financial Framework, and also questions related to the rule of law.

 

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