Europeans have to take charge of the conventional defence of Europe: this US announcement suddenly rendered it very urgent for Europe to complete its force package and acquire its own strategic enablers. Meanwhile, Russian defence expenditure growth since 2022 has significantly exceeded that in Europe. In an announcement of its own, the EU responded with a massive defence package. What steps are needed to ensure that the current momentum results in a “European pillar” of NATO that can deter or defend against any conventional attack?

Programme:

17.00-17.30   Registration

17.30-17.45   Welcome & Introduction

Ambassador Pierre Gillon, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the Political and Security Committee

Prof. Dr Sven Biscop, Egmont Institute & Ghent University

17.45-18.30   Panel Discussion

Dr Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive, IISS

James Hackett, Head of Defence and Military Analysis, IISS

Fenella McGerty, Senior Fellow for Defence Economics, IISS

Prof. Dr Daniel Fiott, Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) at the VUB

Brigadier-General Gert Van Goethem, Deputy Military Representative of Belgium to NATO

18.30-19.00 Q&A

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)