EUROPEUM Brussels Office representing the Think Visegrad Platform (including CEID) in collaboration with IRSEM EUROPE – The Institute for Strategic Research at the Miliatary School would like to invite you to an expert discussion titled:

European Defence at a Crossroads: Can the EU Build a Stronger Defence Industry?

The public event will take place next Monday, 17 March from 14:00 to 16:00at the 73 Rue de Namur, 1000, Brussels.

We will start with a networking lunch at 13:30.

REGISTRATION

Opening remarks:

🔎 Dr. Philippe Perchoc, Head of IRSEM Europe

Speakers:

🗣 Aleksandra Kozioł, Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych (PISM)

🗣 Federica Mangiameli, Defense and Security Senior Programme Manager Senior Associate – GLOBSEC

🗣 Dániel Bartha, President – Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy (CEID)

Additional speaker to be confirmed

Moderation:

🎙Danielle Piatkiewicz, Research Fellow, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy

About:

The security architecture of Europe is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing transatlantic uncertainty have exposed critical weaknesses in European defence. As the Trump administration signals a more isolationist foreign policy, European nations must urgently strengthen their defence capabilities. The Munich Security Conference delivered a sobering message—Europe can no longer take U.S. security guarantees for granted. This reality was starkly highlighted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for an “army of Europe”, underscoring the need for an independent European security framework beyond U.S. influence.

In response, the European Commission’s 2024-2029 vision marks a new era for European defence. President Ursula von der Leyen has prioritized defence within the Single Market and Defence Union. The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), unveiled on 5 March 2024, aims to boost joint procurement, investment, and interoperability. A White Paper on European Defence, due within 100 days, will outline key priorities, led by High Representative Kaja Kallas and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.

Despite these efforts, major challenges persist. Decades of underinvestment have weakened Europe’s military readiness, while fragmented procurement has created redundant systems and poor interoperability, undermining collective security. Political divisions further complicate coordination, as some states resist deeper EU defence integration over sovereignty concerns. Strengthening Europe’s defence industry also risks excluding non-EU suppliers, potentially limiting access to advanced technologies. Meanwhile, neutral states remain skeptical of increased EU defence financing, and unequal defence spending raises concerns about fair burden-sharing.