The European Security Strategy is the document in which the European Union clarifies its security strategy, aimed at achieving a secure Europe in a better world, identifying the threats facing the Union, defining its strategic objectives and setting out the political implications for Europe. The European Security Strategy was drawn up in 2003 under the authority of the EU’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, and adopted by the European Council in Brussels on 12 and 13 December 2003.
The Europe Day Conference in Rio de Janeiro, with participation from the NATO Defense College (NDC), the European Union Delegation in Brazil, the Fondação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Siftung (KAS), was held in the MF Thompson Motta Auditorium on 8 May. The aim of the event was to communicate to Brazilian academics and students of international relations, to civil society and the media, the role played by the EU and NATO in providing security, including through cooperation.
The title of the meeting was “A Secure Europe in a Multipolar World”. Introductory remarks were provided by Lt Gen Arne Dalhaug, NDC Commandant, Dr Elena Lazarou, Head of the Centre for International Relations at the FGV, Mr Felix Dane, Representative of the KAS in Brazil, and Ambassador Ana Paula Zacarias, Head of the European Union Delegation in Brazil.
The programme was split into three panel discussions, to which eminent lecturers had been invited. The first panel, dealing with “The Future of the European Economy”, was moderated by Frank Sheridan, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Brazil and Representative of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Keynote speeches followed, on “Brazil and the EU: Facing the Global Challenges Together”.
In the afternoon the second panel focused on “The European Union in a Changing International Environment”. This was moderated by Felix Dane of the KAS. The third panel discussion concentrated on “Euro-Atlantic Approaches to Security and Defence Issues”. Here, the moderator was Brig Gen Patrick Desjardins, Director of the Academic Operations Division at the NDC.
Closing remarks were provided by Felix Dane, Elena Lazarou and Karl-Heinz Kamp, Director of the NDC Research Division.
For a detailed schedule of the event and a list of participants, the full programme can be seen here.
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