The transatlantic relationship is the foundation of our security and defence. It is also the embodiment of shared values and common and long-lasting strategic objectives. During the last decade, for many different reasons, NATO’s cohesion was put to the test like seldom before. On top of that, the Crisis that erupted through the COVID-19 pandemic did nothing to strengthen the transatlantic bond. Where are we now, especially when the pandemic is present, and the new US administration is already steering its way across the international landscape? More specifically, where do the relations between Washington and the European Union stand?
The PPEU will endeavour to contribute to a new political impetus in the transatlantic relationship and to promote Europe’s openness to the world, its commitment to effective multilateralism and to highlighting its geopolitical position and credentials as a leading player on all relevant international agendas. Thus, European security and defence policy and cooperation between Member States in these areas will deserve our best attention.
At the same time, we will reflect on the relations with Russia and China. Both represent, in very different but commonly problematic ways, challenges and opportunities. This conference will also focus on the role that Portugal and the Czech Republic could play in every single one of these dimensions.
Program:
11:00 – 11:10 Welcome Speech
- Luís de Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal in the Czech Republic
- Šárka Prát, Executive Director, Institute for Politics and Society
11:10 – 13:10 Part I
- João Gomes Cravinho, Minister, Ministry of National Defence of the Portuguese Republic
- Jan Havránek, Deputy Minister for Defence Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic
- Alexandr Vondra, Member, European Parliament
- João Carlos Espada, Director of the Institute for Political Studies, Catholic University of Portugal
- Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society
The moderator of the I. panel is Luís de Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal in the Czech Republic.
13:10 – 15:10 Part II
- Liliana Reis, Professor, University of Beira Interior and Lusófona University
- Lívia Franco, Professor, Catholic University of Portugal
- Tomáš Pojar, Vice-President For International Relations and Security expert, CEVRO Institute, Former Ambassador, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Israel
- Alžběta Bajerová, Analyst, Association for International Affairs
- Carlos Gaspar, Senior Researcher, Portuguese Institute of International Relations, NOVA University
- Francisco Proença Garcia, Professor, Institute for Political Studies, Catholic University of Portugal
The moderator of the II. panel is Roman Máca, Analyst and Security Expert, Institute for Politics and Society.
15:10 – 15:30 Closing remarks Luís de Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal in the Czech Republic
The conference will be held in English and you can watch it live on our Facebook.
