Presentation "NATO and European Security"

At the reception, Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) introduced the main achievements in training, scientific research, and the main research directions of the University; emphasizing the goal of building a research university and strengthening research projects. To promote this activity, the University wishes to learn from and exchange academic experiences with foreign scholars. Therefore, Dr. Andrew Cottey's presentation was of great significance not only to the faculty but also to the students of the University.

Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) introduced the University to Dr. Andrew Cottey.

Beginning his presentation, Dr. Andrew Cottey highlighted some aspects of Europe's historical context. Historically, Europe has maintained a multipolar balance, characterized by competing alliances and wars between major powers, such as the two World Wars in the 21st century. During the Cold War, Europe was divided into two poles, East and West, posing a potential threat of World War III but also witnessing the rise of a security community in Western Europe. After the Cold War, Europe strengthened its security community and expanded eastward and into Central Europe, hoping to forge closer ties with Russia and deploy more "soft power," particularly through the EU.

Next, Dr. Andrew Cottey addressed the current security situation in Europe. In Eastern Europe, NATO and the EU are pursuing a two-pronged foreign policy, expanding into Central and Eastern Europe while simultaneously strengthening ties with Russia. However, geopolitical tensions could still ignite a second Cold War between the West and Russia, as Russia becomes increasingly assertive and aggressive, culminating in the 2014-2015 conflict in Ukraine. In Southern Europe, the Syrian war, which broke out in 2011, claimed the lives of nearly half a million people, displaced almost 5 million, and sparked the establishment of the ISIS state. Alongside this, the immigration crisis in Europe continues, with approximately 1 million immigrants arriving in Europe in 2015, while internal disagreements within the EU remain regarding the bloc's immigration policy. As for NATO, it seems the organization must significantly narrow its scope of operations within the framework of member states, through rapid response programs and plans in Central and Eastern Europe. On the other hand, NATO must prevent the risk of conflict with Russia through confidence-building and security-enhancing measures (CSBMs), as well as balance its policies in the east with those in the south.

Dr. Andrew Cottey presented on the current challenges facing the EU in particular and Europe in general.

Faced with these challenges, the security situation in Europe in 2016 can be considered worrying. Europe had to find a way to end the war in Syria, mend internal conflicts within the EU, balance "hard power" and "soft power," find a solution to the financial crisis in the Eurozone, and respond to the UK's behavior after Brexit. In June 2016, the EU published its 'EU Global Strategy' on foreign policy. However, according to Dr. Andrew Cottey, it is difficult to find easy solutions to the EU's foreign policy problems.

Scene from the presentation

In conclusion, Dr. Andrew Cottey outlines several implications of the European security crisis for Asia. According to him, the Islamic State (IS) and the war in Syria will become global issues, affecting not only Europe but the entire world, including Asia. Furthermore, a cold war between Russia and the West, resulting in an imbalance in the Russia-China-West triangle, would not benefit Asia. Finally, the decline of the European economy will indirectly affect Asia, as the economic growth of many Asian countries still relies heavily on exports to Europe.

Dr. Andrew Cottey's presentation received numerous exchanges and questions from faculty, staff, and students of the School on issues such as the nature of the security relationship between the EU and NATO, the prospects of the EU's common defense policy, the UK's position in NATO before and after Brexit, the implications of Brexit for separatism in Europe, and the policies of EU countries towards immigrants from Africa and the Middle East…

An international student asks a question to Dr. Andrew Cottey.

                                Dr. Andrew Cottey poses for a commemorative photo with students from the Department of International Studies and the Department of Political Science.

Dr. Andrew Cottey is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Government at University College Cork, Ireland. He regularly researches and teaches in political science, particularly international relations. He previously worked at the Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, served as a Research Assistant at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), and was a Visiting Professor at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Dr. Cottey's main research areas are European foreign policy, security and defense, and especially relations between the EU and the Asia-Pacific region.