About the online event:

The EU is in the process of reflecting on how its security and defence policy should develop over the coming years. So far, this reflection has taken place mainly in the framework of the ongoing Strategic Compass process, which is scheduled to conclude during the French EU Council Presidency in Spring 2022.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced during her 2021 State of the Union address that she and French President Emmanuel Macron would convene a European Defence Summit in Spring 2022. In addition, it is expected that the EU and NATO will adopt a new joint dfeclaration around the same time to guide bilateral cooperation between the two organisations. In other words, 2022 is looking to be an important year for EU defence cooperation.

What are the practical implications of the various ongoing and planned EU defence activities? To what extent will they improve the Union’s capacity to tackle pressing challenges such as hybrid and cyber threats? Can we expect the EU to become a more capable international actor by the end of 2022? Join us for an engaging discussion!

Discussants:

Rear Admiral Jürgen Ehle

Senior Military Adviser, EEAS

Tom Vandenkendelaere

MEP, EPP, Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Anna Wieslander,

Director Northern Europe, Atlantic Council

Moderator:

Niklas Nováky

Senior Research Officer, Martens Centre