The European Union is facing fundamental challenges in the field of foreign, security and defence policy – internally and externally. The relation with Russia is standing at a new low point. China is gaining ground, not at least due to the quick economic recovery after the pandemic. Transatlantic relations have suffered in the past years and are successively improving with Joe Biden as new US President. However, diverging strategic interests remain, not only with regard to the commitment on defence spending by NATO members. Moreover, many conflicts in Europe´s periphery are far from being resolved. Cultures, priorities and perspectives vary, the Brexit is still impacting the European Union – and the Council is far from reaching agreements.
In this context the debate about EU´s strategic autonomy has gained a new impetus. The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, continuously emphasises that “Strategic autonomy is not a magic wand but a process, a long-term one, intended to ensure that Europeans increasingly take charge of themselves. To defend our interests and values in an increasingly harsh world, a world that obliges us to rely on ourselves to guarantee our future.“ The “Strategic Compass for Security and Defence”, expected to be finalised during the French Council Presidency in 2022, shall define common strategic objectives and ambitions of the EU for the next five to ten years. In the light of the findings of the Peace Report 2021, this event, held by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's European Office in Brussels, aims at discussing in which way the EU can be strategically autonomous. What is needed for the "Strategic Compass" to convey a common direction in security and defence policy respecting the role of the EU? Which cornerstones must be in place to reach more autonomous and strategic EU action? What is needed to strike the balance between institutional constraints, civilian missions and military operations to pursue a peace-oriented foreign and security policy?
Europe can do better – The EU between institutional constraints and civil and military responsibilities
When: 29 June 2021, 12:00-13:30
Where: The event will be held via Zoom
Program
Welcome remarks:
- Katrin Hatzinger, Director Brussels Office of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD)
- Renate Tenbusch, Head of the Brussels Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Presentation of the Peace Report 2021:
- Ursula Schröder, Editor in chief of the Peace Report 2021, Director at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH), University of Hamburg
Reflection:
- Bernhard Felmberg, Protestant Bishop for the Bundeswehr
Panel Discussion:
- Matthias Dembinski, Senior Researcher at PRIF
- Hannah Neumann, Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA), Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE)
- Sonja Momberg, European External Action Service
- Discussion chaired by Sidonie Wetzig, FES Brussels
Please find more information and a link to registration ar FES's website.