There are growing calls for the European Union (EU) to be more autonomous and independent while remaining open to other economies and committed to upholding multilateralism. This is often referred to as Strategic Autonomy. But what does it mean exactly? Which areas of EU policymaking does it affect? Should the EU really pursue Strategic Autonomy?
These questions guide Club de Madrid’s debate in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The largest forum of former Presidents and Prime Ministers organizes this high-level dialogue with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and with the participation of the Government of Portugal and the civil society organization, Equipo Europa, and the European think tank, Friends of Europe.
Intergenerational Leadership for the Future of Europe: European Strategic Autonomy
Hashtags: #CoFoE #StrategicAutonomyEU #HablamosdeEuropa
PROGRAMME
09:30h (CET) Welcome Remarks
–Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid and President of Slovenia (2007-2012).
–Francisco André, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Government of Portugal.
–Juan González-Barba Pera, Secretary of State for the European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Government of Spain
-Master of ceremonies: Rubén Campos, Coordinator of Programmes, Club de Madrid
09:45 – 11:15h Dialogue I – European concept of Strategic Autonomy. Why Should it be on the Agenda?
The session will be devoted to reflecting on the European concept of Strategic Autonomy, the circumstances that make this debate relevant and controversial, and the implications that this concept might have at domestic and international levels. The session will pay special attention to the security and defence components.
–Herman Van Rompuy, Prime Minister of Belgium (2008-2009) and President of the European Council (2009-2014), and Member of Club de Madrid
–Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid and President of Slovenia (2007-2012)
–Iveta Radičová, Prime Minister of Slovakia (2010-2012) and Member of Club de Madrid
–Sofia-Maria Satanakis, Senior Research Fellow, Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES)
–Carlota García Encina, Senior Analyst, Real Instituto Elcano
-Facilitator: Pol Morillas, Director, CIDOB
11:15-11:30h: Break
11:30 – 13:00h Dialogue II – European Strategic Autonomy and the Conference on the Future of Europe
The session will address other aspects of European Strategic Autonomy including those related to the economy, capital, trade, health, energy, technology, standards, and values. Participants will bring new ideas and mechanisms on how the European Union can advance Strategic Autonomy in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
–José Manuel Durão Barroso, Prime Minister of Portugal (2002-2004), President of the European Commission (2004-2014), Chair of GAVI and Member of Club de Madrid
–Ivo Josipović, President of Croatia (2010-2015) and Member of Club de Madrid
–Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2002-2010) and Member of Club de Madrid
-Lindsey Nefesh Clarke, Senior Fellow for Digital, Friends of Europe
–Margarida Marques, Member of European Parliament, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
–Inés Suñer, Youth Representative, Researcher and Analyst, Equipo Europa
-Facilitator: Dharmendra Kanani, Director, Asia, Peace, Security & Defence, Digital and Chief spokesperson of Friends of Europe
13:00h: Closing remarks
–María Elena Agüero, Club de Madrid Secretary-General
–João António da Costa Mira-Gomes, Ambassador of Portugal in Spain
