On 21 March 2023, Daniel Fiott and Ramon Pacheco Pardo were present at the first Schuman Security and Defence Forum, which took place at the European Parliament under the authority of Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP). The Schuman Forum is one of the concrete deliverables of the EU’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defence. It seeks to contribute to the important partnerships that underpin the EU’s high level of ambition in security and defence. The Schuman Forum is part of the EU’s broader engagement to establish a more coherent and comprehensive network of relationships with international and regional actors and bilateral partners worldwide. Specifically, it aimed at facilitating dialogue and strategic reflection on international security and defence between the EU, its Member States and their partners, examining ongoing trends, issues and initiatives. It brought together politicians, senior decision-makers, military representatives from EU Member States and partner countries, and representatives from international and regional organisations with which the EU cooperates in security and defence. Members of civil society, thought leaders and opinion formers were also invited. The Schuman Forum will take place every two years under the authority of the HR/VP.
Ramon was invited to participate in a think tank exchange on EU partnerships in security and defence, and he raised issues of relevance to the EU’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Daniel moderated one of the roundtables on maritime security with several senior military officers and ministers of defence. During the roundtable on maritime security, participants learned about the need to dissuade naval threats, protect under-sea critical infrastructure and develop information and data exchange in order to better anticipate maritime threats.
Full details on the Schuman Forum can be found here.
