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Under the Patronage of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou

Delphi Economic Forum IX

April 10-13, 2024

George Scutaru

CEO

New Strategy Center, Romania

George Scutaru is one of the founders and the CEO of the New Strategy Center, the

leading Romanian think tank in security and foreign affairs field, founded in July 2015.

He started his professional career in journalism, in Bucharest, then as a press correspondent to Moscow, before he became the general director of a press monitoring and consultancy agency in Romania. Between 2004 and 2014 he was a member of the Parliament of Romania, the Chamber of Deputies. In that period, he successively held the positions of Secretary (2004-2008) and Vice-Chairman (2008-2014) of the Committee on Defense and National Security. Between 2014 and 2015 he was national security advisor to the President of Romania. On behalf of the President, Scutaru coordinated the entire negotiation process for the national agreement, assumed in 2015 by all Romanian political parties from the Parliament, for a 2% of the GDP financing of the defense sector, which triggered an extensive modernization process of the Romanian Armed Forces and enhanced the interoperability with NATO and the US.

George graduated from the Faculty of History (University of Bucharest) and holds a

master’s degree in International Relations. He also graduated from the National

Defense College and the National Intelligence College in Bucharest, and also attended training courses and programs at the NATO College in Rome, the G.C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the US Department of State.

Area of expertise: Russia, security challenges in the Black Sea region. He is author of

several studies dedicated to Russia’s strategy in the Black Sea region, Russian hybrid

warfare and aspects related to energy security in the wider Black Sea region.

Thursday 11

09.40 - 10.30
The Strategic Importance of the Black Sea in the Context of the War in Ukraine Security, Connectivity, Freedom of Navigation
- THE STATE OF THE WORLD
location_onArtemis 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.