WASHINGTON—For the first time in its 43-year history, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, will convene outside of the United States for a field hearing to underscore America’s commitment to security in the Baltic Sea region and its unwavering support for U.S. friends and allies.
At this historic hearing, held less than 80 miles from Russia’s border, senior U.S. civilian and military leaders will outline America’s collaborative approach to enhancing security in the region. High-level officials from states including Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia will provide regional perspectives on the evolving security environment in and around the Baltic Sea.
BALTIC SEA REGIONAL SECURITY
A Field Hearing of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
3:00 p.m. CET
The Artus Court
Gdańsk, Poland
Watch Live: www.youtube.com/HelsinkiCommission
Panel I:
- Mr. Douglas D. Jones, Deputy Permanent Representative, United States Mission to NATO
- Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, Deputy Commander, United States European Command
Panel II:
- Minister Raimundas Karoblis, Minister of National Defense, Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania
- Major General Krzysztof Król, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Republic of Poland
- Director-General Janne Kuusela, Director-General, Defense Policy Department, Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Finland
- State Secretary Jan-Olof Lind, State Secretary to the Minister for Defense, Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Sweden
- Permanent Secretary Kristjan Prikk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Estonia
Other panelists may be added.
Against the backdrop of the location of the first battle of World War II, panelists will discuss regional maritime threats—including Kremlin aggression—and possible responses; the current effectiveness of NATO’s deterrent posture in the Baltics; the transatlantic security architecture; and hybrid and emerging threats.
Members of the media must register in advance at https://form.jotform.com/91692541401958 to attend this hearing. Preregistration closes at noon CET on Friday, June 28, 2019.
