The seminar aims to examine the proposed plans and policies for European security and defence for the next five years under the Commission Von der Leyen II. The event consists of a high-level address by Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner-designate for Defence and Space on the topic of “The Future of European Defence: Strategic Ambitions and Realities”, followed by an in-depth expert discussion on “Navigating the Future: Are Europe’s Defence Ambitions Sufficient?”.

The event envisions providing a comprehensive assessment of the European Union’s future defence strategy and actionable insights to inform policy development and implementation over the next five years.

This is an in-person event that will not be streamed or recorded. 

Programme 

9:00 – 9:30         Registration and welcome coffee

9:30 – 9:45         Opening Remarks: Ambassador Pierre Gillon, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the Political and Security Committee and Sven Biscop, Director of the Europe in the World Programme Egmont Institute

9:45 – 10:15      Keynote Speech “The Future of European Defence: Strategic Ambitions and Realities” by Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner-designate for Defence and Space

10:15 – 11:45    Panel Discussion on “Navigating the Future: Are Europe’s Defence Ambitions Sufficient?”

• Hannah Neumann, Member of European Parliament, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance

• Daniel Fiott, Head of the Defence and Statecraft Programme, Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy – Brussels School of Governance

• Bernard Phaleg, Major-General and Chief Strategy Officer, Belgian Defence
• Wouter Jurgens, Director Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Moderator:  Dick Zandee, Head Security & Defence Programme – Clingendael Institute

11:45 – 12:00    Closing remarks

(Photo credit: European battle goup, wikipedia)