Munich Security Conference ends amid tense transatlantic relations

The 61st edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) concluded on Sunday amid growing tensions between Europe and the United States.

Christoph Heusgen, Chairman of the MSC, warned that the common values between Europe and the US are no longer so uniform. He was referring to the deepening transatlantic riftwhich became fully apparent after a controversial speech by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.

This year's conference brought to Munich about 60 heads of state and government and 150 ministerswho discussed climate change, European security and regional conflicts. However disagreements persisted in particular on the Ukrainian crisis and European defence.

According to Xiao Qian z Tsinghua University was the highlight of the conference an open rift between the US and its European alliesprovoked by Vance's remarks about democracy and freedom of speech in Europe.

Heusgen stressed the need common norms and principles in a multipolar world, pointing out that "it is easy to destroy the international order, but much harder to rebuild it".

He also highlighted the growing role of the countries of the Global South, with more than 30 % speakers at this year's conference came from Asia, Africa and Latin Americawhich he said helped to ensure their voice in the debate on the changing world order.

CMG