The Conference “Europe as a Task” Was Held in Prague
13.05.2025 / 10:01 | Aktualizováno: 13.05.2025 / 15:21
The international conference Europe as a Task took place at Prague Castle and the Czernin Palace between 12 and 13 May 2025. The event was organized by leading Czech think tanks and brought together President Petr Pavel, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, and other prominent European figures. The main topics included security, competitiveness, and Europe’s geopolitical position in a rapidly changing world.
In his keynote address, Foreign Minister Lipavský identified security, competitiveness, and the redefinition of Europe’s global role as the three strategic imperatives of our time. He placed particular emphasis on support for Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defence posture.
“A strong, sovereign, well-armed Ukraine is essential to deterring future aggressions in Europe. As some have said – we must ‘porcupine’ Ukraine – make it so resilient that any Russian attacks become futile,” he stated.
The Minister also reiterated Czechia’s commitment to increasing defence spending. “The NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP was suited for peace times. We are not in such times any longer. Europe must finally unlock its full potential in defence,” the Czech diplomatic chief added.
Economic renewal and Europe’s ability to compete globally were also high on the agenda. “‘Business as usual’ is not an option. Europe suffers from overregulation and struggles to attract investment. We must address our structural weaknesses to remain globally relevant,” the Minister warned.
The conference was hosted by the Institute of International Relations, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, and the Association for International Affairs (AMO), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia. The discussions will contribute to upcoming European policy decisions and strategic planning.
