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More than 170 experts took part in this year’s conference, held under the title “Tide of Change” including 20 ambassadors, over 50 diplomatic representatives, senior government officials, and members of the security policy community. The discussions focused on shifting global power dynamics, the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the opportunities and challenges of the EU’s eastern enlargement, and ways to strengthen regional cooperation and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The conference was opened by Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC, who emphasized that the event has grown into one of the region’s leading security forums and that open dialogue is essential in times of rising geopolitical uncertainty. Dr. Norbert Eschborn, Director of the KAS Croatia–Slovenia Office, pointed to a “phase of profound uncertainty” driven by Russia’s aggression, hybrid threats, and economic pressures. He stressed that resilience can only be built through cooperation and credibility, highlighting the important role RACVIAC plays in strengthening trust and security governance across the region. Prof. Dr. Pascal Hector, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Croatia, reaffirmed Germany’s strong support for EU enlargement and called for continued reforms in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, and energy independence, highlighting the alignment of German and Croatian security priorities. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Hristo Hristov outlined EU initiatives aimed at strengthening defence preparedness, boosting production capacities, and integrating Ukraine into the regional defence industry.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia Tomislav Galić spoke on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, addressing the shifts in Europe’s security architecture following Russia’s aggression. He reaffirmed Croatia’s continued political, diplomatic, humanitarian, financial, and technical support for Ukraine. Speaking for the Croatian Parliament, its Deputy Speaker Željko Reiner emphasized the conference’s role as a platform for regional dialogue and underscored the need for sustained cooperation in tackling global security challenges.
The second panel, which focused on the growing incidence of economic conflict in Southeast Europe, featured guest speaker Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ulrich Blum of the German Lithium Institute (ITEL). Together with the panelists, he stressed that economic pressure is becoming a central element of hybrid warfare, enabling state and non-state actors to influence political processes and gradually erode the autonomy of smaller states by manipulating trade, investment, and energy resources - without ever entering into direct confrontation.
This year’s edition once again confirmed the Conference on Security Challenges for Europe as a key regional platform for informed discussion, cooperation, and strategic political dialogue. This long-standing initiative fosters a fact-based examination of the region’s core transformation processes—particularly in the context of EU and NATO integration, institutional readiness, and ongoing security reforms— within the context of a rapidly evolving international environment.
