BeSTalks – Budapest Energy and Security Talks, May 19–20, 2025, Budapest, Hungary
The conference, organized by the Egyensúly Intézet (Equilibrium Institute of Budapest), brought together international experts and policymakers to address pressing questions around NATO’s current state, the strategic direction of the new US administration, evolving defense capabilities, cybersecurity, the role of artificial intelligence in shaping security futures. The thematic focus was coupled with a wide coverage of geographic areas spanning Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Dr. Rumena Filipova spoke at the panel “Strategic Balkans – From Bad to Worse?”, which explored the implications of emerging internal pressures within the Balkans for European and Transatlantic security. The discussion addressed how Europe should respond to new regional dynamics and the geopolitical influence of external actors. The panel also featured Amb. Mladen Andrlić (Ambassafor of Croatia to Hungary), Amb. Biljana Gutic-Bjelica (Ambassador of Bosnia-Hercegovina to Hungary), Odeta Barbullushi (Resident Professor, College of Europe), and Valbona Zeneli (Nonresident Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security). The session was moderated by Tamás Baranyi (Strategic Director, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs).
IGA’s chairperson raised key points related to strategic divergences in the region, Russian and Chinese influence, the growing impetus for EU accession and the need to implement domestic reforms, which are now more varied than in previous accession waves.