Sicherheit und Risiko

ESPRIT St.Gallen Business Review
«Furthermore, we are
witnessing a shift in
power from the
Atlantic to the Pacific
and the Indian Ocean
and if really we have
entered a so-called
Pacific Century,
then everyone in the
world has an interest
in seeing that the
process takes place
along peaceful and
stable lines.»
So, we need new impulses for a world in which cooperation
and the peaceful reconciliation of interest are
reflected. It is a truism that we will ultimately benefit
from living in a world in which partnership and responsibility
are the determining elements.
The first reflex of many is to stress the importance
of the United Nations. What a nice, sometimes romantic
approach. But it is crucial for the credibility of this
unique organization, with its universal legitimization,
that its structures are brought into line with the conditions
of today’s world. This means: more efficient in
its inner structures, more timely in the composition of
the Security Council, more effective in its financial and
peacekeeping systems. This way, the United Nations
would be better prepared than they are today, to contribute
their share to a more just and peaceful world.
Within the United Nations, we can and should seize the
chances that arise to strengthen cooperation. There are
a lot of areas in which this is possible: peacekeeping is
only one of them.
NATO has transformed in recent years from a purely
defence alliance into a security alliance that bears
responsibility in different parts of the world. It is and
will remain a Euro-Atlantic Alliance, but it must be able
to deal effectively with global security challenges that
pose a threat to the security and stability of the Euro-
Atlantic area. In a globalized world, it will become increasingly
necessary to defend common interests with
(also new) partners and in this way contribute towards
stability in the world. And, of course, NATO must not
intend to compete with the United Nations. The Alliance
acts in accordance – and has to act in accordance –
with the international law. Expansionism or territorial
claims are not the concern; peacekeeping is.
Although the European Union is facing a fundamental
crisis, it is urgently needed as an internationally
reliable and strong actor that speaks with one voice. An
appeal which seems to be closer to an illusion than to
realization. However, there is no way out of the existing
quagmire without a commitment to European integration
and to a Europe that recognizes its potentials: as a
strong global actor and even as a peace power, if it takes
greater international responsibility - in a world that
quite undoubtedly has several centres of power today.
One of the particular features of the new world
that is evolving is the large number of new - and especially
regional - actors who are entering the global
stage, be it the African Union or the UNASUR in Latin
America, whilst in Asia, there is, of course, ASEAN
in its numerous broadened formats, and the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO). And then there are
informal, though equally important groups such as the
«NATO must not
intend to compete
with the United
Nations. The Alliance
acts in accordance –
and has to act in
accordance – with the
international law.
Expansionism or
territorial claims
are not the concern;
peacekeeping is.»
Winter 2012 11