IRSD-KHID-RHID

Twenty-five years after the Franco-British Summit held in Saint-Malo, fourteen years after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and confronted by the first interstate conflict in its history since the Second World War, Europe seems to be taking stock of the defence challenges it is facing: clearly, the political will of the European nations to collectively defend themselves has increased significantly in the past few years. In March 2022, the Member States of the European Union have approved the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence providing for an EU Rapid Deployment Capacity embodying a modular force of up to 5,000 troops by 2025. This initiative, which is very similar to “a geopolitical European awakening”, must however be put into perspective. Numerous questions, and not insignificant ones, remain unanswered. Will the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity be immune to divisions between EU Member States? Will it constitute a real “autonomous” ability to act? Will it be supported by a strategy providing it with the necessary means to be effective in the field? Finally, will it be a credible force?

In order to answer all these questions, we will be pleased to welcome Mr Frédéric Mauro, lawyer at the Bar of Brussels and research fellow at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), as well as Dr Markus Kaim, senior fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) and assistant professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich, who will share their views on recent developments in EU capabilities.

Evening conference

Will the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity
be operational by 2025?

Conference videos:
Dr Markus KAIM
Mr Frédéric MAURO

Moderator: Alain DE NEVE

Languages: English and French
Simultaneous interpretation in English, Dutch and French

1 May 2023, 17:00 – 18:30
> 16:30 – Registration
> 17:00 – Conference
> 18:30 – Reception

Campus Renaissance
Rue Hobbema, 8
1000 Brussels