Sweden and Germany in European Defence

Welcome to a lunch seminar with a presentation by Hans-Peter Bartels, Germany´s Parliamentary Commissioner of the Armed Forces, illustrating the German perspective. Followed by a discussion with Katarina Engberg, Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS) and August Danielson, Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), distributing Swedish insights and positions on strengthening European defence cooperation.

Registration: https://simplesignup.se/event/159693

The discussion will be translated simultaneous German-Swedish.

RSVP: Kindly respond by Wednesday, November 13th

As northern member states of the EU and bordering states of the Baltic Sea, Germany and Sweden share widely the same national security interests. At the same time, both countries differ in their strategies to optimize defence capabilities. While Germany clearly favours a European Defence Union, Sweden, on the contrary, has been strengthening its ability for bilateral and regional military cooperation during the past years. What are both countries´ particular motives and experiences? Where do their defence policies overlap and where do they differ? Does the EU´s Global Strategy provide common ground for both countries? And what is their perspective concerning the future of European Defence. These and related questions will be covered in the event.

PROGRAMME
11:00 - Registration
11:15 - Welcome: Philipp Fink, Director Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Nordic Countries (FES)
11:20 - Input: Hans-Peter Bartels, German Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces
11:45 - Discussion:
- Hans-Peter Bartels, see above
- Katarina Engberg (SIEPS)
- August Danielson (UI)
Moderation: Uwe Optenhögel, Vice President of the Foundation of European Progressive Studies (FEPS)
12:30 - End of session