UEF: THEME DAY ON THE VILNIUS NATO SUMMIT THE WORLD LOOKS TO VILNIUS: HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NATO SUMMIT

What does the Summit mean for the European security architecture and the role of the European Union in international security policy? What does the summit mean for European civil society?

NATO Summit in Vilnius is ahead of us. It will be a special summit. On the one hand, it is taking place at a time of the full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. On the other hand, it is about implementing the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Madrid last year. It will be about continuing and increasing support for Ukraine. In parallel, NATO intends to further strengthen its defence and deterrence capabilities. In addition, the Alliance intends to agree on a new Defence Investment Pledge in Vilnius. The summit in Vilnius is already now considered to be a milestone.

The NATO Summit will also be special because it will take place in Lithuania. Lithuania in particular, as well as the other Baltic states, attach great importance to this meeting at this time and on these issues.
What is the significance of the NATO summit in Vilnius for the European security architecture? How can and should it be further developed? Can this be done within the framework of the existing treaties or is it necessary to set the course by means of institutional changes or adaptations to the treaties? What role can the EU play in international security policy? Can the European Strategic Autonomy be the way ahead towards a new European pillar of NATO? What is the role of European civil society? What contribution can it make?

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The Union of European Federalists and the European Movement Lithuania intend to dig into all these questions in their theme day.

9.15 | WELCOME MESSAGE

Sandro Gozi, MEP (Renew, France), President of the Union of European Federalists and Chair of the Spinelli Group

THE NATO SUMMIT IN VILNIUS: EXPECTATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND FOR THE ROLE OF THE EU IN THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY

9.30 | Petras Auštrevičius, MEP (Renew Europe, Lithuania), Member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence

interviewed by Dr. Nana Walzer, Journalist, University Lecturer, Chairwoman of europe:united

10.15 | Lukas Mandl, MEP (EPP, Austria), Deputy Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, President of UEF Austria

interviewed by Dr. Nana Walzer, Journalist, University Lecturer, Chairwoman of europe:united

11.00 | ON THE EVE OF THE VILNIUS NATO SUMMIT: GEOSTRATEGIC DECISIONS TO SECURE UKRAINE’S FUTURE

In the light of ongoing brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, NATO member states are more united than ever and persistent in their support to Ukraine, as well as strengthening NATO defence capacities and readiness. Last year NATO adopted its new Strategic Concept, in which all Members stated that ,,the Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies security and to peace and stability in the Euro–Atlantic area”. Now, on the eve of Summit in Vilnius, it is crucial to ensure that the Alliance is fully prepared to address this threat and to send a clear signal that Ukraine’s future in NATO is inevitable.
Therefore, the Union of European Federalists, together with European Movement Lithuania, kindly invite participants to discuss objectives of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, methods of strengthening European security architecture and the Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Yehor Cherniev, Head of the Ukraine Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, (tbc)
Markus Ferber, MEP (EPP, Germany), President of the Hanns Seidel Foundation & Vice-President of the Union of European Federalists
Sandro Gozi, MEP (Renew Europe, France), President of the Union of European Federalists
Žygimantas Pavilionis, MP (Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, Lithuania), Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Dr. Hanna Shelest, Head of Security Programmes at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”, Editor-in-chief at UA: Ukraine Analytica
Dr. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, MP (FDP, Germany), Chair of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Germany (tbc)

Moderator:

Prof. Dr. Margarita Šešelgytė, Director at Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University

12.30 | Lunch Break

THE NATO SUMMIT IN VILNIUS: EXPECTATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND FOR THE ROLE OF THE EU IN THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY

13.30 | Professor Dalia Bankauskaite, Associate Professor at the Vilnius University, Lithuania, and Senior Fellow at the Center For European Policy Analysis CEPA, Board member of European Movement Lithuania

interviewed by Dr. Nana Walzer, Journalist, University Lecturer, Chairwoman of europe:united

14.15 | Christian Moos, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee, Group III (S&D), Secretary General of Europa Union Deutschland & Board Member of European Movement Germany

interviewed by Dr. Nana Walzer, Journalist, University Lecturer, Chairwoman of europe:united

15.00 | THE NATO SUMMIT IN VILNIUS: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EUROPEAN CIVIL SOCIETY IN THIS CONTEXT AND WHAT CAN IT DO TO SUPPORT CIVIL SOCIETY IN UKRAINE?

Debate with

Kati Schneeberger, District Councillor (The Greens) City of Vienna, designated Federal Director BEJ Austria, President of VIENNA goes EUROPE
Klaus Klipp, President of Europa Union Frankfurt

Moderator:

Dr. Nana Walzer, Journalist, University Lecturer, Chairwoman of europe:united

15:45 | End of the Theme Day