On 29 January, GCSP Executive Director Ambassador Thomas Greminger travelled to Tirana, Albania, to deliver an insightful presentation at the College of Europe. 

The talk, titled “Strategic Reflections on the Future of the OSCE and the UN: Pathways for Emerging Global Leaders,” where he explored key trends shaping the future of international organisations and the role of young professionals in navigating today’s complex security landscape.

The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with GCSP Alumni and partners in Albania. In collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland to Albania and the GCSP Alumni & Community Hub, we hosted a special reception, bringing together local alumni, diplomatic representatives, and security experts. This gathering fostered discussions on global governance, multilateral cooperation, and innovative approaches to leadership in international affairs.

During his visit, the Executive Director also appeared on Top Channel TV, one of Albania’s leading broadcasters, to share his insights on pressing geopolitical issues. The interview focused on the evolving security environment, the implications of cuts to U.S. funding for international organisations, and the broader challenges facing the OSCE and UN.

For 30 years, the GCSP has remained committed to fostering dialogue, building strong international networks, and equipping the next generation of global leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate today’s security challenges. Our Executive Director, Ambassador Thomas Greminger and the Swiss Ambassador Ruth Huber proudly carried the Geneva Centre for Security Policy 30th anniversary flag!

Read the interview:

The quarterly cutoff of US funds will not affect the justice reform in Albania, according to diplomat and international expert Thomas Greminger.

In an interview with Top Channel, the former OSCE Secretary General in Vienna estimated that the funding cutoff will be in several sectors and not for specific countries.

“If we refer to the way of thinking within Trump’s circle, I do not see any major risk for SPAK [Albania’s Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organised Crime], for an important initiative like justice reform. I think it is not a cutoff for a specific country, but rather for specific areas. Anything that promotes diversity, gender issues, birth control – these are sensitive topics for the ‘Make America Great Again’ philosophy, which President Trump is based on. So, in these areas I expect the biggest funding cuts. However, I do not believe that we will see entire regions cut off from funding, except in cases where President Trump may later decide that they are ‘behaving badly’. This remains a possibility, but in the short term I do not see a risk that individual countries will be completely excluded”, said Thomas Greminger.

In the opinion of Ambassador Greminger, Donald Trump’s attention will not be directed towards the Balkans, so he does not expect immediate developments regarding the progress of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

“According to my perception, the Western Balkans are not very high on the list of priorities of the new administration. This can also be seen as good news, as there will be no pressure on them. I do not expect the Western Balkans to be at the center of Trump’s foreign and security policy in the short and medium term. I do not expect any encouragement for conflicts in the region, for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. So far, we have not heard much from the new administration in this regard. It also remains to be seen who in the Trump team will deal with the Western Balkans. In addition to the key figures around the President, second-level staff, including ambassadors, will also have an important role. It will be crucial who is sent to Tirana, as this will affect the approach of American policy towards the region”, he adds.

Meanwhile, the Swiss diplomat sees relations between Europe and the US changing with the departure of Democratic President Biden. The approach seems to be with unpredictable policies and harsher rhetoric.

“Regarding European security, it is clear that he will demand that European countries invest more in their defense. I do not think that he will fundamentally question the transatlantic alliance or NATO, but he will insist that Europe take more financial responsibility, which could bring tensions. But we have to wait and see to what extent there will be a real difference between what President Trump announces and the concrete policies that will be implemented. It is important not to react hastily to his statements, as he often uses a threatening approach as a strategy to negotiate agreements”, he concludes.

Ambassador Greminger is convinced that Trump's intervention will restore talks between Ukraine and Russia. But reaching an agreement within 24 hours is, according to him, both impossible and dangerous.

"It is essential that President Trump, whatever he plans to do - and he will have to talk to President Putin relatively early - consult this process well with the Ukrainians and the Europeans. A first step would be to reach a negotiated ceasefire and then move on to talks on a final agreement. It is vital to ensure that we do not face another Russian attack on Ukraine in a few years. For this reason, security guarantees for Ukraine are absolutely essential. I think it would be dangerous to believe that such a complex conflict can be resolved easily and quickly," Greminger concludes.