The Aspen European Strategic Forum is a collaborative platform established by three European Aspen Institutes: the Aspen Institute Romania, the Aspen Institute Central Europe and the Aspen Institute Kyiv, aiming to respond to evolving security threats and contribute to a stronger, more secure Europe, amidst geopolitical uncertainty. The project also benefits from the support of the Aspen Institute France, the Aspen Institute Italia, and the Aspen Strategy Group. 

Following a first roundtable event held in Rome, on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), on July 9, and a successful first edition hosted in Bucharest on September 18 – 19, we are pleased to have hosted a Brussels Roundtable on European Defense & Security, on November 19, 2025, held under the aegis of the Aspen European Strategy Group, aiming to follow-up on the inaugural meetings and to share the recommendations of the Aspen European Strategic Forum 2025 Report. 

The current era is one of unprecedented transformation, driven by enduring great power competition and the collapse of illusions of perpetual peace. Europe faces interconnected threats: from conventional military risks to cyber vulnerabilities, from attacks to critical infrastructure to disruptions in supply chains, energy insecurity, and democratic erosion. The war in Ukraine exposed vulnerabilities in European defense and post-Cold War assumptions, underscoring the urgency of adapting security posture and defense capacity that enhance the credibility of deterrence, in coordination with NATO allies and partners. 

Given these long-term challenges, the Aspen European Strategic Forum urges responses to security threats at European and larger scale, creating a platform for convening decision-makers from public, private, non-governmental, and academic sectors from all across the Aspen partners’ countries and beyond. This format allows clear policy recommendations and solutions to be issued across the CEE region and to the evolving landscape of European security. Through moderated discussions, policy analysis, and strategic approaches, the Aspen European Strategic Forum brings together the expertise and experience of select decision-makers, scholars and practitioners in an intellectual quest for best responses to the ever-evolving context.

This roundtable asked decision-makers shaping Europe’s future to address the most pressing question of our time: How do we transform strategic vulnerability into resilience, innovation, and unity? Together, we addressed and looked for solutions spanning defense industrial transformation, Black Sea security, critical infrastructure protection, and societal resilience. 

All discussions were conducted under the Chatham House Rules.

AGENDA:

13:00 – 13:30 Welcome coffee 

13:30 – 13:45 Opening remarks 

    • Mircea Geoană, Former Deputy Secretary General, NATO / President, Aspen Institute Romania
    • Tomáš Klvaňa, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Central Europe
    • Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Kyiv
    • Jean Christophe Bas, Vice President, Aspen Institute France

13:45 – 14:15 Institutional Leadership in shaping Europe’s security & defence ecosystem

    • Dan Nica, Coordinator (S&D)  in Committee on Industry, Research and Energy ITRE, Vice-Chair of Delegation for Relations with Israel, European Parliament
    • Jan Farský, Member Committee on Industry, Research and Energy ITRE, European Parliament
    • Viktoriya Petrikova-Voeten, Cabinet Member specializing in Black Sea Strategy, Ukraine political, security, and defence matters, Commissioner Marta Kos for Enlargement, European Commission
    • Cosmin Dobran, Director for Peace, Partnerships and Crisis Management, European, External Action Service (EEAS)
    • Sorin Ducaru, Adviser AI &  Emerging and disruptive technologies, European External Action Service (EEAS)
    • Liliana Musetean, Head of Unit Cybersecurity Governance and Compliance, Council of the European Union

14:15 – 15:20 Industry Perspectives: building Europe’s defence and cyber capabilities

    • Hendrik Bourgeois, Senior Vice President Public Policy and Government Affairs, Mastercard
    • Bram Couwberghs, Vice President for Defense and Defense Industry EMEA, Oracle
    • Alexander Mariën, Sales Director BeNeLux, UiPath
    • Open discussion with contributions from other distinguished participants

Moderator: Florentina Dumitru, Director Brussels Office, Aspen Institute Romania

15:20 – 15:30 Conclusions