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Welcome to CESS
The Centre for European Security Studies is an independent non-governmental
organisation based in the north of the Netherlands. From our tiny office
in the old university town of Groningen,
we run programmes that focus on democracy
in the realm of defence and security. Our mission is to
promote transparent, accountable and effective government in the security sector.
In pursuit of this aim, we conduct research, provide policy advice, hold debates, organise
roundtable discussions and offer training courses. We are able to carry out
such a wide range of activities thanks to the co-operation of a wide network
experts and partners, mostly based in Europe. The
results of these collaborative efforts are presented here under the headings
publications and events. Our
work is also made possible by the support of governmental and independent
sponsors.
News
CESS presents unique publication on SSR in Moldova
Published on 2010-01-27
On 21 January, the Centre for European Security Studies released its latest Harmonie Paper "SSR in the Republic of Moldova: Strengthening Oversight of the Security Sector". CESS director Sami Faltas handed over the first edition during a highly attended launch in Chisinau to Mr. Dumitru Diakov, MP and member of the Standing Committee for National Security, Defence and Public Order. As the book has been written by Moldovan experts, this is the first publication on security sector reform in Moldova written by domestic authors. Because of this approach, the book offers an unique, in-depth look at the challenges and options for SSR in Moldova. The publication also marks the end of the multi-year Moldova Parliamentary Programme, which started in 2007.
MP's discuss implementation of security reform in Tbilisi
Published on 2010-01-07
‘Who watches the watchers?’ This old Roman saying started the fourth seminar of the Georgia Parliamentary Programme on December 16. Set in the Parliament of Georgia, the highly attended event focussed on the role of parliament in overseeing the implementation of reform in the security sector.
The keynote speech from Mr. Irakli Kavtaradze, MP for Georgia, stressed that ‘democracy is not just a right. It also implies responsibilities.’ As the seminar dealt with experience sharing, Mr. Egidijus Vareikis, MP for Lithuania, talked about the challenges Lithuania had faced when it was in a comparable situation. He elaborated on the obstacles in establishing oversight concerning the implementation of reform and the role of NGO’s in this process.
CESS director Peter Volten emphasized the quality of democracy in establishing parliamentary oversight over the security sector: ‘It is also about the informal aspects.’ Thanks to the active participation of the Georgian MP’s and staff members, the event was a major success and very promising for the fifth seminar of the Georgia Parliamentary Programme, which is to be held in April 2010.
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Academia Meets Government and Parliament in Turkey
Published on 2009-11-30
From 19-20 November nearly 100 people from Turkish academia and the executive and legislative branches of the state debated in Ankara on matters of defence and security. The aim of the concluding conference within the framework of the Turkey programme was to establish a dialogue between these three sections of Turkish society.
Debates took place on the state of Turkey today and the possibilities, difficulties and advantages of intensified cooperation between academia and the executive en legislative branches. From the side of the armed forces and the Turkish government, more transparency should be applied. ‘A volatile region is not a reason to keep secrets,’ as was stated by CESS director Peter Volten in an article in Hurriyet . As for the academia, they should focus more on practical works, in stead of dwelling on theory-based works, said Tanel Demirel of the Çankaya University.
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Harmonie Paper Launched in Istanbul
Published on 2009-10-30
‘Civil-military relations in Turkey have been witnessing a dramatic change’, says Ali Karaosmanoğlu of Bilkent University at the launching of the newest CESS Harmonie Paper on 26 October in Istanbul. In an article published in Hurriyet Karaosmanoğlu stated that recent changes in the civil-military relations have little to do with Turkey’s accession to the EU, but are part of a pragmatic process. The need for a professional army is not disputed, as was said by CESS director Peter Volten, but the question that remains is how to further align civil-military relations with EU standards. Both statements were made during a two-day conference, in cooperation with the Istanbul Policy Centre, about recent changes in civil-military relations in Turkey.
Lively Discussions at SSR Conference in Almaty
Published on 2009-10-12
On 24 and 25 September, the Centre for European Security Studies conducted a high-level conference on Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Central Asia. This was the region's first conference on SSR implemented by civil society organisations. Amongst the participants were researchers and practitioners from the Central Asian countries, Europe, the US, and Russia, as well as intergovernmental organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, NATO, the EU and the CSTO.
More information and conference materials can be found here.
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