Reimagining European Defence with EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, and The Netherlands Chief of Defence Onno Eichelsheim
European security is under growing pressure. The ongoing war at Europe’s borders, increasing hybrid threats, and sabotage in the Baltic Sea and North Sea underline the urgent need to strengthen Europe’s defence foundation.
With over 250 participants in The Hague and more than 300 viewers online, the Reimagining European Defence conference brought together military leaders, members of parliament, leaders of the defence industry, government officials and researchers to discuss Europe’s evolving security landscape.
We were honoured to welcome EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and General Onno Eichelsheim, Chief of Defence of the Netherlands, as keynote speakers.
Rewatch the opening and keynote speeches below.
Their keynotes emphasised the urgent need for Europe to enhance defence capabilities, increase investment in innovation and industry, adapt legislation to improve interoperability, maintain support for Ukraine, and strengthen cooperation with international partners to address pressing security threats and prepare for a new kind of warfare.
Discussions throughout the day focused on three core themes:
- The future of the European defence pillar and strategic direction
- The building blocks of European defence: industry, innovation, and financing
- European Defence in its transatlantic context
The conference was co-organised with the Representation of the European Commission in the Netherlands.
