Good morning,
Today, we gather for the first edition of the Schuman Security and Defence Forum.
European Union Ministers of Defence, and Ministers of Defence and representatives from more than 50 partners around the world, as well as think tanks and academia, are here today at the premises of the European Parliament to discuss how we can – together – address common challenges and threats that we are facing.
It is the first time that the European Union gathers around the table such a big number of Ministers and security actors to talk about the current geopolitical and security challenges.
In this very challenging environment today, there is no ‘faraway’. Everybody is concerned. No country, no one acting alone can address the return of power politics, the mix of conventional and hybrid threats, the consequences of climate change and the increased competition over natural resources.
All these challenges have global consequences.
With the Strategic Compass, we have embarked on a path to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with our close partners, and to create new ones.
Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has been a wake-up call for us.
We have done what was unthinkable months ago. This has raised interest and opened avenues for new forms of cooperation.
We are building a strong European defence. We are building a more capable Europe to defend its values and interests. In security and defence, we are progressing a lot.
This makes us a more reliable and effective partner. And we want to engage more with our partners and to build stronger partnerships around the world.
Today here, on the premises of the European Parliament, our discussions will bring more light on what the European Union can offer, and what we can do together.
I thank a lot everyone who [has] come here, responding to our invitation, and I [am] looking forward to our discussions. I am sure they will be profitable and show a way in order to improve the security in the world.
Thank you.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-239200