Europe needs to strengthen its role within NATO and reinforce its collective security, yet it remains stuck in its search for more effective European solutions. The continent has a strong defence industrial base, but the connection between this capacity and Europe’s collective operational needs, especially given today’s urgent security environment, is still missing.
Against this backdrop, CEPS is launching a series of high-level dialogues chaired by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, in his capacity as Special Adviser to the European Commission on Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness. These discussions will bring together EU institutions, permanent representations, military leaders, industry, and strategic experts to explore what a stronger and more coherent European role within NATO could look like in practice.
The work will focus on four areas:
• Geopolitics and the evolving strategic context
• Military capabilities and readiness
• Governance and coordination between NATO and the EU
• Financing Europe’s defence efforts
The first meeting will take place at RUSI in London on 24 November, followed by a second session at CEPS in Brussels on 16 December, with final findings expected in March 2026.
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