Our Spotlight events are part of the Pariser Platz Dialogue, a series of high-level events bringing together French and German decision-makers for an exchange of ideas throughout the year. The Pariser Platz Dialogue series is kindly supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.
09/2024: Spotlight with Tobias Lindner
Strengthening European Defence in times of turmoil – What can France and Germany contribute?
During an engaging discussion with Sciences Po students, Minister of State Lindner stressed the vital role of Franco-German cooperation in strengthening European defence.
Europe’s support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression is of crucial importance. As leading European member states in defence matters, France and Germany are particularly expected to coordinate and launch new initiatives. These assessments were made by Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, at our Spotlight event on 17 September at Sciences Po in Paris.
He emphasised that leadership from France and Germany in defence initiatives, paired with an “open house policy” allowing other nations to join, is key to fostering deeper military integration and ensuring Europe is united in addressing evolving security threats.
In his keynote, Minister of State Lindner stressed three strategic priorities to secure Europe’s future in the face of persistent challenges:
- Ongoing Support for Ukraine
First, he emphasised that continued support for Ukraine is vital, as it defends both its territory and security, as well as liberal values that underpin European peace and stability.
- Enhanced European Military Cooperation and Deterrence
Second, he called for increased investment in European military cooperation, as well as in the credibility of European deterrence by strengthening European contributions to NATO and closing critical capability gaps, while boosting industrial production.
- Expanding Europe’s Global Security Role
Third, he urged Europe to extend its security focus beyond its borders, increasing international cooperation to meet the rising demand for the EU to take on a more prominent role as a global security actor.
This Spotlight event, which is part of the Pariser Platz Dialogue series, featured an introduction by Johannes Lindner, Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre, and Anne-Célia Feutrie, Executive Director of the School of Public Affairs. Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, moderated the discussion.
Re-watch the recording of the event here:
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