Program

Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2014
An Initiative of the Association of Austrian Peacekeepers
Engaging for Peace
UNFICYP:
50 Years of Peacekeeping
October 15th - 17th, 2014
Joint Forces Command, Belgier-Kaserne,
Straßganger Straße 171, 8052 Graz, Austria
Online Registration: www.austrian-peacekeepers.at
In cooperation with
Directorate General for Security Policy
of the Austrian Ministry of Defence
Joint Forces Command
Austrian Institute for European and
Security Policy
Program
Wednesday, October 15th
18:00-18:30
Arrival at the venue
18:30-20:30
Welcome to participants
Günther GREINDL, GEN (ret), President of the Association of Austrian Peacekeepers
Franz REISSNER, LTG, Commander Joint Forces Command (requested)
Buffet, hosted by Franz REISSNER, LTG, Commander Joint Forces Command, and Günther GREINDL, GEN (ret), Presi-
dent of the Association of Austrian Peacekeepers
Thursday, October 16th
8:00-9:00Registration
9:00-10:30
Opening Session
Chair: Johann PUCHER, MG (ret), former Head of Directorate
General for Security Policy of the Austrian Ministry of Defence
Introductory remarks by the chair
UNFICYP – A historical overview:
Arnold KAMMEL, Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy
UNFICYP - The Austrian military contribution:
Friedrich SCHRÖTTER, BG, General Operations, MoD Austria
UNFICYP - The Austrian police contribution:
Mario MUIGG, MoI Austria
Summary by the Chair
10:30-11:00
Coffee break
Session: The Personal Experience
Chair: Karl MAJCEN, GEN (ret), former Austrian Inspector General of all Armed Forces
11:00-12:30
Introductory remarks by the chair
Wolfgang WILDBERGER, COL (ret), former Commander Austrian Contingent UNFICYP
Alfred LUGERT, COL (ret), former Staff Officer HQ UNFICYP
Walter FALLMANN, GEN (ret), former JHQ Police Operations
Officer, Austrian Police Contingent UNFICYP
Peter TRIPP, former CIVPOL Duty Officer HQ, Austrian Police
Contingent UNFICYP
12:30-12:45
Official conference photo
12:45-14:00
Lunch, hosted by the Association of Austrian Peacekeepers
14:00-15:30
Session: Cyprus Today – The Current Developments
Chair: Martin NESIRKY, Director UNIS Vienna
Introductory remarks by the chair
Lisa BUTTENHEIM, SRSG UNFICYP
Kristin LUND, MG, Force Commander UNFICYP Giorgos KENTAS, Assistant Professor of International Politics,
University of Nicosia
Karl MÜLLER, Austrian Ambassador to Cyprus
Question and answer
Summary by the Chair
18:00-21:00
Dinner at a typical Styrian Heuriger, hosted by MoD Austria
Friday, October 17th
9:00-10:30
Session: Expert Discussion on Key Questions of Reconciliation
Chair: Werner FASSLABEND, former Austrian Minister of Defence,
President of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy
Introductory remarks by the chair
Aristoteles CONSTANTINIDES, University of Cyprus
Ahmet SÖZEN, Eastern Mediterranean University
Gerhard JANDL, Security Policy Director, MoFA Austria
10:30-11:00
Coffee break
11:00-12:50
Session: Expert Discussion on Key Questions of Reconciliation - continued
Summary by the Chair
12:50-13:00
Closing remarks and award of certificates
Günther GREINDL, GEN (ret)
13:00-14:00Lunch (optional)
UNFICYP: 50 Years of Peacekeeping
The Association of Austrian Peacekeepers supports Austria’s engagement in peacekeeping activities and promotes the ideals of the United Nations in civil society. Under
the umbrella of the United Nations Vienna the Austrian peacekeepers participate in the
Network for Peace, which brings together peacekeepers from Central and South East
Europe. In this context the Association annually organizes the Blue Helmet Forum Austria (BHFA) in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Defence.
The BHFA 2014 will deal with past and present peacekeeping activities in Cyprus. After
Cyprus became independent in 1960 political dispute and the rivalry between Greek and
Turkish Cypriots have created a complex conflict situation, which has triggered armed
conflict leading to the establishment of UNFICYP in 1964. In spite of the presence of UNFICYP the political situation deteriorated and in 1974 Turkey intervened militarily, which
subsequently lead to the division of the island. After the intervention the UN peacekeeping mission was successful in establishing a buffer zone between North and South,
which contributed to stability on the island. However, the diplomatic effort of the UN to
resolve the dispute has been more difficult and made little progress so far.
UNFICYP has turned into a long-term mission characterized by strong international involvement and diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful solution with the goal of reunification of the country. This task necessitates a coordinated approach of national, regional
and international actors. The Forum will look into the historical development of the UN
Peacekeeping operation and draw on personal experience of former peacekeepers examining its relevance for today’s peacekeeping operations. Additionally it will try to identify
essential elements for a conflict resolution. A review of the prospects and limitations of
the present UN efforts will be also at the focus this year’s Forum.
The invitations for the BHFA are directed towards experts from the civilian and military
field and towards high ranking personalities from politics, business, media, science and
diplomacy, for whom the knowledge of peacekeeping in Cyprus is of relevance. The
Forum will be held in English and will be open to a limited number of participants. The
conference fee covers all costs for administration, meals, conference documents and
the cultural program. Accompanying partners are welcome to participate in all social and
cultural events at a reduced fee. The publication of the Forum proceedings will be sent
to all participants, relevant organizations and academic institutions.
President: GEN Günther GREINDL (ret)
Academic Director: Thomas ACHLEITNER (AAP)
Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2014
c/o Association of Austrian Peacekeepers:
Mariahilferstraße 22/4/18, A-1070 Wien, Austria
Fax: +43 1 9906871
E-mail: [email protected]
Online Registration: www.austrian-peacekeepers.at

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