James Bergeron
James Bergeron
Political Advisor
NATO Allied Maritime Command, United Kingdom
MARCOM Political Advisor since 2013. Previously the POLAD to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, he has served as foreign policy advisor to eleven senior US and NATO Commanders in the fields of maritime and joint operations, including EUCOM Joint Task Force Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict and NATO Operation Unified Protector in Libya. He was one of the drafters of the Alliance Maritime Strategy of 2011. He holds the degrees of BA, MA, JD and LLM, and has published widely in the areas of international law, EU law, NATO, strategic and maritime studies. Honorary Professor of International Relations at the University of Plymouth, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Thursday 11
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09.40 - 10.30
The Strategic Importance of the Black Sea in the Context of the War in Ukraine Security, Connectivity, Freedom of Navigation
Artemis Hall | European Cultural Centre of Delphi
Programming Partner: New Strategy Center
This panel will highlight the critical role of the Black Sea amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing its strategic significance from the perspective of security, connectivity, and freedom of navigation. The speakers will analyse the security challenges imposed by the conflict, possible evolutions of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, considering the regional and global implications. Additionally, the discussion will explore the impact of connectivity projects on regional stability and economic development, particularly energy initiatives in the Black Sea offshore area and other projects linking the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. Attention will also be given to the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, crucial for global trade and food security. Assessing potential evolutions of the conflict in Ukraine and NATO deterrence and defense measures in the region, the panel will also expose the lessons from the maritime domain to offer policy recommendations for promoting security in the region.