EU Defense Night
(Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo is interviewed by Semafor's Gina Chon during EU Defense Night in Washington.)
From July 9-11, the North American Treaty Organization (NATO) commemorated its 75th anniversary at a summit in Washington, D.C. The summit took place shortly after the European elections, ahead of the U.S. elections, and in the midst of the growing realization of the need to increase defense spending and strengthen capabilities on the European side of the Alliance. All this with the backdrop of the continuing war in Ukraine, the real threat of Russian aggression toward EU Member States, and growing questions about the strength of the transatlantic security alliance.
This summit presented a special opportunity for the EU to communicate – at the highest level – its vision for building European defense capabilities and strengthening transatlantic security partnership. A strong EU presence could give a boost to the European Defense Industrial Strategy launched in March 2024. As such, the EU Delegation in Washington invited defense industry and security policy partners for a high-level event on the eve of the NATO Summit, titled EU Defense Night.
View video footage of the EU High Representative's speech on YouTube.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Reception
8:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Keynote by Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
8:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Interview-style Night Owl Conversations alongside Ms. Gina Chon, Senior Editor at Semafor, featuring:
Mr. Stephen Hedger, CEO, American Rheinmettal Inc.
Mr. Gerald Kasulis, Director, Nord Security
H.E. Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine
H.E. Laurynas Kasčiūnas, Defense Minister of Lithuania
H.E. Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium
9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Networking reception