Mr. Carl Bildt[1], veteran politician and thinker, and the former Swedish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister delivered a speech on “Global Security Challenges in the era of new geo-political Realignments: European Responses”. He was addressing a crowd of diplomats, academicians, journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, scholars and other notables at a public talk organized by the Embassy of Sweden and the Center for Research and Security Studies. EU cooperation is made more necessary than ever to deal with present and emerging challenges, especially given that the world is more dangerous and divided than it ever was before. He added that one of the most critical challenges is Brexit.
Mr. Bildt also commented that the UN system is essential but not always delivering as is needed, the trade system especially needs some serious rethinking and reform. Inter-regional cooperation is critical to solve contemporary geo-political challenges, he said, and this line of thinking applies not only to the EU, but to any international region. This is especially true, he added, because the return of geo-politics does not apply Europe alone. Mr. Bildt minced no words when he said that invading other countries normally does not end up with you making friends. He stressed the need for a much more structured relationship of Europe with Turkey.
Mr. Bildt said that Europe’s strength is diversity. He added that though the global economy is not in great shape, there is enormous growth in South Asia. Speaking about the tenuous relationship between India and Pakistan, he stressed that both countries needed to sort out not only Kashmir, but a range of other issues, such as security and trade. He said that the two nations could use the EU’s example to find common ground and solutions.
The honorable Tariq Fatemi, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, graced the gather as the chief guest. He asked whether the new world order be more just, more peaceful and based on principles or based on narrow national interests to the detriment of others? The answer to this question defines a nation’s stance. He said that no policy is ever without consequences, and while it may seem that our approaches may not be adequate, this should not discourage us from pursuing peaceful relations with our neighbors. He said that the formation of the EU was preceded by internecine wars, but should our region also have to go through such bloodshed to get to where the EU is? Mr. Fatemi said that we will betray the trust of the people of Pakistan if we don’t build relationships with other players in the region and promote the concept of economic and regional connectivity and interdependency.
The event was also extensively covered by the media.
Daily Times: He said Pakistan and India are both nuclear states and they need a consecutive dialogue process so as they can resolve their all outstanding issues including Kashmir through diplomatic means. “Let’s hope that with the passage of time both sides will resolve their mutual problems through dialogue”, Carl remarked with hope. [Read full article here.]
Express Tribune: The borders of Europe were drawn in blood at one time or the other in human history. This was said on Wednesday by former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt at a seminar “Global security challenges in the era of new geo-political realignments: European Responses”, organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies. [Read full article here.]