Members of the Youth Section of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia (YATA Slovenia) attended the 24th Berlin Security Conference on 18–19 November 2025, one of Europe’s leading annual forums on defence, security, and transatlantic cooperation. This year’s conference, held under the theme “Europe and NATO: Reliable Resilience, Credible Deterrence,” brought together senior government officials, defence and security experts, representatives of international institutions, industry leaders, and members of the academic community.
The conference opened with remarks by Marie Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Member of the European Parliament, followed by a keynote address from General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum. Among the principal speakers were German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson.
Discussions focused on Europe’s deterrence and defence posture, strengthening transatlantic ties, security in the Baltic–Arctic region, rising authoritarian pressures, and the role of industrial and technological innovation in building Europe’s defence capabilities.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
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- Credible deterrence and NATO’s response to Russia’s grey-zone and hybrid activities
General Gerhartz stressed that Moscow increasingly employs what he referred to as hypertactics—border provocations, sabotage, cyber and information operations—aimed at eroding political will and testing Allied unity. For NATO, he noted, “Plan A must always remain credible deterrence.” - Total Defence and societal resilience as strategic imperatives
Sweden’s Total Defence model, integrating military defence, civil protection, societal preparedness, and clear institutional coordination, was highlighted as a reference point for European states facing today’s multidimensional security environment. - Industrial and technological sovereignty as the backbone of credible deterrence
Speakers widely agreed that Europe must strengthen its defence industrial base, accelerate procurement, improve crisis-response mechanisms, and—where appropriate—pursue off-the-shelf acquisitions to maintain a fast, effective, and credible deterrence posture. - Transatlantic unity as the foundation of European security
Remigijus Baltrėnas, NATO’s Director General of the International Military Staff, underlined that sustaining Allied cohesion requires mutual commitment: the United States must remain engaged in European security, while Europe must build greater industrial and defence self-sufficiency. - Germany’s growing role within NATO and its impact on regional security
Several speakers, including the German and Swedish defence ministers, emphasised that Germany could assume greater command responsibilities within NATO, thereby strengthening its role in shaping European defence policy and contributing to regional stability.
- Credible deterrence and NATO’s response to Russia’s grey-zone and hybrid activities
The 2025 Berlin Security Conference reaffirmed its position as a central forum for the Euro-Atlantic security community, offering in-depth debate on current strategic challenges and helping to shape a shared vision for Europe’s defence—from industrial modernisation to political cohesion and societal resilience.
For the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia, this year’s conference was an opportunity to engage with European and transatlantic partners, exchange expert perspectives, and deepen dialogue on the future of European security, resilience, and defence industry cooperation.
Author: Matic Kosirnik
