2BS Forum 2023 Summary
2BS Forum is a leading politico-security forum in Southeast Europe (SEE) that takes place annually. This year, the Forum was held on October 5-7, 2023 in Budva, Montenegro. It gathered more than 400 participants addressing some of the most pressing issues of European and global security of today, primarily focusing on Montenegro and the Western […]
Milatović: In the process of forming the Government, program principles were omitted; it is not for me to say who should be in it
President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, stated at the closing of the 2BS Forum that he had expected the government formation negotiations to proceed more quickly, despite Prime Minister Milojko Spajić negotiating with 18 political entities. Milatović noted that, unlike other European countries, Montenegro provided an extended period for the formation of the government. What is […]
After the end of the war, the security landscape in Europe will no longer be the same
Our values – freedom, democracy, and the rule of law – are under attack, both within and outside the Western Balkans. The most obvious demonstration of this is President Putin’s aggression against Ukraine. We don’t know when the war will end, but we do know that after it, the security landscape in Europe will no […]
The consequence of the Russian aggression is a fear that anything is possible
The most important lesson Europe has learned from the war in Ukraine is that any war is not far from us, and the most significant consequence of Russia’s aggression is the fear that anything is possible. This was assessed during the panel discussion: “Beyond Borders: Ukraine, Western Balkans, and Regional Dynamics. Yevgeniya Gaber, a collaborator […]
The military rise of China remains unclear, and authorities prefer to resort to cyber warfare instead
On the second day of the 2BS Forum, participants discussed China’s influence in geopolitical upheavals, as well as the significance and capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA), which, according to its own plans, aspires to be one of the strongest in the world. Panelists who participated in the discussion on Beijing’s Long […]
Putin is fighting not only against Ukraine but also for his own political survival
Russia is trying to disrupt the Western world order dominated by the United States and create a new one where national sovereignty depends on how strong you are. This was among the messages conveyed during the panel Red Alert: Unmasking Russia’s Security Challenge to the Transatlantic Community. Panelists believe that Putin’s struggle in Ukraine reflects […]
Kentera: The situation in the security sector has never been worse
Founder of the 2BS Forum and former director of the National Security Agency of Montenegro, Savo Kentera, stated that the situation in the security sector in Montenegro has never been worse, not even in the 1990s when it was thought it couldn’t get worse. It’s not just as bad as many people think, it hasn’t […]
Increasing Defense Spending – A Path to Greater Security
The EU’s security policy in the wake of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine was the topic of the final panel on the first day of the 2BS Forum. Panel participants agree that our security largely depends on NATO, while the EU, on the other hand, cannot provide such security guarantees.Emil Brix, Director of the Vienna School […]
Stability in the Balkans has always been a priority in U.S. policy
BUDVA – In the Balkans, the United States’ desire for stability often conflicts with normative aspirations for democratization and liberalization of the region. Nevertheless, stability in the region has always been a priority in U.S. policy, as noted by participants in the panel discussion titled Balancing Acts: The US Approach to Stability in the Western […]
Guarantees will be provided to Ukraine that the events of 2014 and 2022 will not be repeated
BUDVA – Ukraine will become a member of NATO and the EU when the necessary conditions are met, which were not fulfilled before the NATO Summit in Vilnius. After the end of the war, the foundations for peace will be established, and guarantees will be provided to Ukraine that the events of 2014 and 2022 […]