Change of Regional Security Paradigm? Sweden and Finland After Applying for NATO Membership

On June 8, 2022, the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) held the Virtual Roundtable Discussion – Change of Regional Security Paradigm? Sweden and Finland after applying for NATO membership. The roundtable brought together distinguished speakers to offer their insights on the potential NATO enlargement in Scandinavia and its implication for other aspirant countries. The online discussion was focused on the following questions: ▪ What are the implications and lessons of Sweden and Finland joining NATO for other aspirant countries? ▪ How has the war in Ukraine changed the perception of security among Finnish and Swedish political elites and the wider public? ▪ How is the security of Stockholm and Helsinki guaranteed in the interim period amid threats from Russia? 17:00 – 17:05 – welcoming remarks, Prof. Kornely Kakachia, the Georgian Institute of Politics 17:05 – 17:25 – opening statements, moderator: Dr. Ketevan Bolkvadze, Lund University Dr. Sinikuka Saari, Finnish Institute of International Affairs Jakob Hedenskog, Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies Dr. Daniel S. Hamilton, The Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins SAIS Dr. Tom Røseth, The Norwegian Defence University College Dr. Svante E. Cornell, Institute for Security and Development Policy 17:25-18:10 – Discussion and Q&A