The ANU Centre for European Studies, the Embassy of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of France in Canberra, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union in Canberra, have the pleasure of inviting you to a lecture and panel discussion on the EU’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defence.

In March 2022, the EU Member States agreed on a common strategic course for security and defence: the Strategic Compass. The Compass gives the EU a plan of action for strengthening the EU’s security and defence policy by 2030. The objective is to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider, including in the Indo-Pacific.

The Strategic Compass provides a shared assessment of the strategic environment in which the EU is operating and of the threats and challenges that the Union faces. It also reinforces the EU’s commitment to working with like-minded partners and ensuring a secure and open Indo-Pacific.

Director of the ANU Centre for European Studies, Ms Anne McNaughton, will discuss the EU’s security goals and instruments, and the relevance of the Compass for the Indo-Pacific region.

A discussion panel will follow, involving H.E. Mr Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Mr Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of France to Australia, and H.E. Mr Tomáš Dub, Ambassador of Czech Republic to Australia.

The event will also mark the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, which focuses, among others, on supporting the implementation of strategic goals set out in the Compass.

Program

17:00 - Opening remarks:

• Dr Katarzyna Williams, Deputy Director of the ANU Centre for European Studies

17:05 – The EU Strategic Compass for Security and Defence: an introduction

• Ms Anne McNaughton, Director of the ANU Centre for European Studies

17:20 – Remarks on the Strategic Compass by

• H.E. Mr Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia

• H.E. Mr Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of France to Australia

• H.E. Mr Tomáš Dub, Ambassador of Czech Republic to Australia

17:50 – Q&A Session

Please note that parking is available along Liversidge Street and diagonally across the road from the venue (at the corner of Liversidge and McCoy streets).