Berlin, Germany – May 20, 2025. The German-Croatian Forum, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Berlin, proudly launched the first in its new Defence Dialogues series. The event brought together key military, diplomatic, and strategic voices to examine the shifting defence, political, and trade landscape in Europe—and the power of partnerships in shaping its future.
Keynote by Lieutenant General Andrew Rohling
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Lieutenant General Andrew Rohling, Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. In a compelling speech, Lieutenant General Rohling reaffirmed NATO’s unwavering commitment to strengthening cooperation with the European Union in the face of the evolving global security landscape. He also highlighted the critical role of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), describing it as a transformative initiative to drive defence innovation and interoperability across
Expert Panel: German-Croatian Cooperation in Focus
Following the keynote, a distinguished panel discussed ways in which bilateral cooperation between Germany and Croatia can advance broader European Union (EU) defence objectives. Discussions centred on strategic alignment, operational integration, and defence innovation.
Panellists included:
- H.E. Mr. Gordan Bakota, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia
- Dr. Martin C. Wolff, Chairman, Clausewitz Network for Strategic Studies
- Jonas Sieveneck, Security and Defence Policy Advisor, Friedrich Naumann Foundation
- Natalya Dean, Vice President, Jones Group International
The panel was moderated by Marc Pruem, Chairman of the German-Croatian Forum.
A Platform for Dialogue and Innovation
The event received high praise from attendees across diplomatic, military, and industry sectors for its timely focus and collaborative spirit. The Defence Dialogues series aims to provide a platform for ongoing constructive exchange and strategic cooperation in a rapidly changing European and global security environment.
Media Contact:
Janice Henry
press@germancroatianforum.org