The panel was moderated by Radu TUDOR, journalist at Antena 3 CNN TV, Romania, and brought together the following distinguished speakers: Charles POWELL, Director of the Elcano Royal Institute in Spain; Leonard ORBAN, Member of the Scientific Council of the New Strategy Center, former Presidential Advisor for European Affairs, and former EU Commissioner from Romania; François HEISBOURG, Special Advisor to the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) in France; and Yordan BOZHILOV, President of the Sofia Security Forum in Bulgaria.

The discussions focused on the transatlantic relationship and its influence on the European integration process. A key idea presented was that the new Trump administration is pushing European states toward accelerating European integration and strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy. The prioritization of EU defense policy and the 150 billion euros allocated for this purpose was also emphasized. In this context, the impact of the Russian threat on Euro-Atlantic cohesion—and more specifically on the cohesion among EU member states—was highlighted.

On the other side of the Atlantic, the United States is no longer viewed as the economic haven it once was, prompting the EU to enhance its strategic autonomy from Washington out of necessity. Lastly, perspectives from NATO’s eastern flank and the EU’s eastern borders were brought into the discussion, particularly concerning the implications of the withdrawal of American troops from the region.

Watch the live sessions on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/zL70WI4yZg0?feature=share