Speaker
Sir Julian King, former and UK Ambassador to France and Ireland and the last UK European Commissioner. Baroness Smith of Newnham, Professor of European Politics, University of Cambridge and Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson in the House of Lords. Professor Sir Alan Dashwood KC, barrister at Henderson Chambers, Emeritus Professor of EU Law at the University of Cambridge, and formerly a Director in the Legal Service of the EU Council (responsible for, among others, legal aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy). Lord Hannay of Chiswick, former UK Permanent Representative to the EEC and the United Nations.
Description
The world has changed since Brexit. Security and defence challenges have become more urgent and more diverse. Russia is waging a relentless war of conquest against Ukraine and there are grounds for uncertainty as to the long-term commitment of the United States to European defence. Add to that, increasing instability in the Middle East, spilling over into the interruption of the economically vital trade-route through Suez, and an increasingly aggressive international stance by the world’s authoritarian powers. Taking all this into account, the security situation in Europe is arguably more perilous than at any time since the end of World War II. The UK and the EU face the same challenges, and could face them with more confidence together. With Brexit behind us, how should the UK set about re-framing its relationship with its neighbourhood, as one rooted in and justified by the reality of today’s challenges? The seminar will explore the prospects for developing a new security pact between the UK and the EU, and other practical opportunities there may be for moving towards a closer and more structured relationship in the future.