9 | Fostering dialogue

PART 9

Fostering dialogue

Diplomatic dialogue

In 2021 the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow the GCSP to organise many in-person dialogue events. Normally, Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogue participants prefer face-to-face meetings due to security concerns regarding virtual exchanges, because such meetings allow them to test ideas and exchanges views in an informal but secure atmosphere. The COVID-19 limitations imposed on travel from some destinations did not allow the GCSP to hold inclusive events.

The GCSP still conducted a number of Track 2 processes virtually. For instance, the Syria Transition Challenges Project, which was successfully transitioned to a remote, digital setting in 2020, continued in this virtual format in 2021. When asked about the most important results achieved by the project, the US and Russian participants highlighted that the dialogue workshops provided a timely opportunity to systematically explore and understand the key interests of the main stakeholders in the Syrian conflict and to identify possible areas of common ground.

The Dialogue on Eastern Mediterranean Issues was conducted once virtually and twice in person. The participants appreciated the opportunity to conduct informal discussions in a safe environment.

In 2021 the state of European security continued to be worrisome, as cooperative approaches were rejected while geopolitical tensions grew. Conventional arms control agreements continued to be eroded, and there were several political crises and armed conflicts in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. A scenario of strategic competition between global powers (with unpredictable consequences for Europe) appeared likely.

Against this background, the GCSP and the Swiss FDFA held the Chambésy Roundtable on European Security in October 2021. This informal setting for frank and open discussions on a selection of topics related to European security engaged participants from Switzerland, the EU, the United States and Russia. The organisers’ intention was to go beyond the usual exchange of foreseeable statements. The roundtable was structured around two thematic sessions with inputs from senior international policymakers and academic experts. It resulted in a side meeting between senior Russian and NATO officials.

The GCSP continued to provide a safe and neutral platform for non-like-minded actors to interact. During the Strategic Stability Dialogue in Geneva between the US and Russian delegations, the GCSP organised two public discussions: firstly with Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins from the US delegation, and secondly with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, the Head of the Russian delegation.