Prestigious public debate Dr Lamers NATO Hearings, a traditional annual event at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), is to take place at 2:00PM–3:30PM (14:00-15:30) on May 12, Tuesday, 2026, at the campus of Mykolas Romeris University, Ateities st. 20, Room I-414.
The topic of the ninth Hearings is:
NATO before the Ankara Summit: with the Alliance's US pillar in doubt, is strengthening of the European pillar possible and what Europeans must and can do about that?
The discussion will be conducted in English.
The keynote speaker of the discussion traditionally is Prof. h. c. Dr. Karl A. Lamers, a former long-time member of the Defence Committee of the Bundestag and former President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an influential German politician with decades of high-level experience in transatlantic security issues.
The panel of commentators will include:
Karolis Aleksa, Lithuanian Defence Vice-Minister for defence planning and policy, former adviser at the Lithuanian Mission at the NATO, with many years of successful career in the Lithuanian Defence Ministry, including top management positions.
Dovilė Šakalienė, MP, former Lithuanian Defence Minister with years of proficient involvement in security policies in parliament and government.
Ingrida Šimonytė, MP, former Lithuanian Prime Minister, former Finance Minister, commanding a vast knowledge in Lithuanian foreign affairs, security strategy and the nurture of the transatlantic connection.
Vytautas Bruveris, renowned journalist and political commentator, an established authority on international and security issues that is built on first-hand information brought directly from the Ukrainian frontline which he visited many times.
Also, here is a reminder that the eighth Lamers Peace Prize student essay competition to win serious money prizes is ongoing, deadline July 31, and MRU’s international students are invited to take part (see more at https://www.mruni.eu/en/news/we-invite-mru-students-to-submit-essays-for-dr-lamers-peace-prize-and-win-1000-eur/ )
Compiled by Prof. Dr. Virgis Valentinavičius, MRU’s coordinator for the Dr. Lamers NATO Hearings and for the Lamers Peace Prize Contest, Institute of Communication