Jean Monnet Memorial Lecture 2009
Defence and Diplomacy: What Next For Europe?
Defending Europe needs a coordinated approach – UK and France have a major responsibility
“If Europe wishes to remain a powerful world player politically the European Union needs to supplement its economic strength by pooling more its defence, security and foreign policy.”
This theme was developed at the Jean Monnet Memorial lecture at the Institute of Contemporary Studies (iCES) at Regent’s College in London given by Jean-Dominique Giulani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, the influential French think tank.
More Political Strength for Europe
The European Union (EU), Giuliani argued, must respond urgently to global threats to its security - terrorism, large scale crime, drug trafficking, piracy and nuclear proliferation.
A coordinated European dialogue is required if we are to negotiate successfully with the major world powers - the US, Russia, China, Japan, India and Brazil.
These countries will become less and less interested in talking to European nations separately on political and security matters
Steps to Successful Negotiations
This involves the EU to follow up its successful economic development of the European internal market where goods, services, people and capital flow freely with a concerted and integrated series of policies involving security.
Defence, immigration, the combating of international crime and drugs, terrorism , arms trafficking, nuclear disarmament, energy and a common foreign policy are among the issues that need to be thought through and agreed at European level and negotiated at a global level
Specific Responsibility
The UK and France, being the only European nuclear powers, have a specific responsibility for taking European Defence issues forward. Europe needs integrated and agreed policies to contribute effectively to these urgent global issues
Need for Closer Relations
President Obama made his first three visits outside the United States to Europe not to individual States but to London for the G20, Strasbourg for NATO and Prague to meet the 27 European Union Heads of State. He has challenged Europe to get a European act together and it is now for Europe to respond. Closer relations between France and the UK are required on these issues. The Lisbon Treaty provides some important first steps to give Europe a higher profile in the world
Speakers Contributions
Jean-Dominique’s lecture was followed by comments from an eminent panel of speakers on content of the lecture and their personal views on the subject. The speakers were:
The evening ended with wide ranging discussions with publics from business, government and academia that made up the 250 strong audience.
Europe as a strong political competitor
The issue of how Europe can compete politically on the International stage is coming to the top of agendas. Jean Monnet Lecture has started a debate which will continue during the next year and play a significant part in the lectures and seminars that iCES will host during 2009-2010
Institute of Contemporary European Studies
Jean Monnet Memorial Lecture
22 April 2009
Regent's College
