As part of the Defence Factory
the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale
in collaboration with EuroDéfense-France
invite you to video conferencing
The strategic compass: what course for European defence?
Welcome address by Benoît DurieuxLieutenant General, Director of IHEDN
Speakers
Hélène Conway-Mouret
Senator, co-author of the report "What strategic compass for the European Union?
Arnaud Danjean
Member of the European Parliament, member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Daniel Fiott
Security and Defence Researcher, European Union Institute for Security Studies
Jean-Pierre Van Aubel
Political expert in defence and strategy, European External Action Service
The debate will be moderated by Ms Christina VasakHead of mission to the Director of the IHEDN for the PFUE
Closing by Mr Jean-Dominique GiulianiChairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation
Wednesday 26 January 2022 at 3pm
Against a backdrop of rising tensions, calls for a relaunch of the European Security and Defence Policy are multiplying. Today, faced with powerful and influential partners, Europeans must unite and establish themselves as a natural partner in negotiations on the continent's security. The time has come for the European Union to speak out on its future, not only to help respond to crises and threats, but also to assert itself in a world in which it is a major player.
What kind of Europe do we want to build between now and 2030? Can we now move forward with a shared horizon and a common vision? These are the questions to be answered by the text being drafted as part of the "strategic compass" initiative launched under the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union, supported by the Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies and scheduled for adoption under the French Presidency.
The aim is to facilitate a coordinated, rights-based approach within the European Union and between Member States to collective security and defence over the next decade. Through this ambitious and unprecedented exercise, Europeans intend to identify common challenges and the means needed to strengthen the EU's role on the international stage and build a Europe that is consistent with its founding principles, respectful of its values and protective of its citizens.
The development of a common vision for the twenty-seven Member States calls for an in-depth European dialogue with a view to achieving convergence on issues linked to European security and defence, which are important for young people, as well as trade policy, industry, innovation, energy and the environment.
At a time when debates are underway between Member States on the terms of the "strategic compass" and before the adoption of the final text in the spring, the colloquium organised on Wednesday 26th January 2022 by the Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale and the Robert Schuman Foundation, in collaboration with EuroDéfense-France, entitled "The strategic compass: what course for European defence? aims to feed the dialogue and reflection underway, at all levels, on European sovereignty. Examining the institutional and geopolitical stakes and prospects of this crucial debate is at the heart of this meeting, which is aimed primarily at young Europeans.
