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The security situation in the EU has changed considerably in recent years, with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine placing Europe’s defence capabilities high on the political agenda. 

These circumstances have given fresh impetus to the actions undertaken by the EU since 2016 to strengthen defence cooperation between member states. 

During this conference, high-level representatives of EU institutions, national stakeholders, experts and practitioners will share valuable insights into the challenges surrounding the implementation and oversight of the EU’s defence-related spending. They will also share their views on the future trajectory of the EU’s defence policy.


We invite you to register and join us onsite or online. 
If you are part of the EU staff:
online attendance

onsite attendance

If not:
Send an email to: ECA-REGISTRATION-DEFENCE-CONFERENCE@eca.europa.eu. mentioning online or on-site participation by 25 June at the latest.


Agenda

European Court of Auditors Conference on Defence

, 9–  ( CET )

– 9Registration 
(Please note, that for on-site participants, doors will open at 08:30 to allow time for registration and security checks.)

Opening speeches  by Mr Tony Murphy, ECA President and General Sławomir Wojciechowski, Polish Military Representative to NATO and EU Military Committees

– 

Session 1 – Future of the European Defence Policy and challenges ahead

This session will set the scene for the entire event. It will demonstrate the current geopolitical context and how the EU is responding to the urgency of transforming the EU’s defence and strengthening the EU security (white paper for European Defence Readiness). It will also show the perspective of MS’s and of NATO experts.

Moderator: Ms Laima Liucija Andrikienė, ECA Member
  • Mr Andrius Kubilius - European Commissioner for Defence and Space – video statement
  • Lieutenant General Krzysztof Król, Advisor of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces
  • RAdm Ignacio Cuartero Lorenzo - Director Concepts & Capability of the EU Military Staff
  • Mr Robert Pszczel - Senior Fellow at the Centre for Eastern Studies
–  Coffee break
– 

Session 2 - Strategic Insights: Strengthening EU’s Industrial Defence readiness  

This session aims to provide insights into the realities and challenges of the EU’s defence industrial base both on the ground and space. In addition, it will be a platform to share views on the EU’s programmes to strengthen the EU’s defence and the competitiveness of EU defence industry: (EDIRPA, EDIDP) and new legislative initiatives (EDIP; SAFE). Insights will be provided on the challenges and risks involved with the implementation and adoption of the new instruments.

Moderator: Mr George-Marius Hyzler, ECA Member

  • Mr Philippe Glaesener – Senior Vice President, Global Government, SES Space & Defence
  • Mr Francois Arbault - Director - Coordinator for defence, DG DEFIS
  • Ms Olga Wojciechowska – Supervisory Board Member of WB Electronics S.A.
–  Lunch break
– 

Session 3: How to finance EDP and how to audit it ?

This session will shed light on the funding landscape in the area of defence that has changed considerably in recent years with numerous new initiatives being proposed involving both EU-grants and loans. It will also be an opportunity to feature accountability arrangements and challenges linked with auditing these new instruments. The session will also offer a possibility to obtain insights into the practice of selected SAIs. It may also capture challenges and risks related to auditing military aid to Ukraine.

Moderator: Ms Bettina Jakobsen, ECA Member, Dean of Chamber III

  • Mr Radek Visinger - Chair of the Board International Board of Auditors for NATO
  • Mr Ville Saarinen - Security and Defence Office, European Investment Bank
  • Mr Piotr Skwara - Senior Public Audit Expert of Department of National Defence of the Polish Supreme Audit Office (NIK)
  • Mr Joël Costantzer – Senior administrator, Chamber III, ECA
– 

Session 4: Parliamentary scrutiny of Defence Policy

This session will provide insights into parliamentary scrutiny of defence policy by the EP  and the experience of the national parliaments and NATO with the oversight. This session will be completed with an exchange of views on the accountability arrangements in the area of the European Defence Policy – what is needed and possible.

Moderator: Mr Marek Opioła, ECA Member

  • Ms Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, MEP - Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence of the European Parliament
  • Mr Gusty Graas, MP - President of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation, Foreign Trade and the Greater Region of the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  • Ms Sascha Faxe, MP – Member of the Defence, Resilience and Preparedness Committee of the Danish Folketing 
  • Mr Marcin Ociepa, MP – Member of the National Defence Committee of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, former Deputy Minister of National Defence
–  Closing remarks 

Master of Ceremony: Damijan Fišer, ECA Deputy Spokesperson

  • General Sławomir Wojciechowski, Polish Military Representative to NATO and EU Military Committees

    ...

  • Lieutenant General Krzysztof Król

    ...

  • Mr Andrius Kubilius - European Commissioner for Defence and Space

    ...

  • Rear Admiral Ignacio Cuartero Lorenzo - Director Concepts & Capability of the EU Military Staff

    ...

  • Mr Robert Pszczel - Senior Fellow at the Centre for Eastern Studies

    ...

  • Mr Philippe Glaesener – Senior Vice President, Global Government, SES Space & Defence

    ...

  • Mr Francois Arbault - Director - Coordinator for defence, DG DEFIS

    ...

  • Ms Olga Wojciechowska – Supervisory Board Member of WB Electronics S.A.

    ...

  • Mr Radek Visinger - Chair of the Board International Board of Auditors for NATO

    ...

  • Mr Ville Saarinen - Security and Defence Office, European Investment Bank

    ...

  • Mr Piotr Skwara - Senior Public Audit Expert of Department of National Defence of the Polish SAI (NIK)

    ...

  • Mr Joël Costantzer - Senior administrator, Chamber III, ECA

    ...

  • Ms Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, MEP - Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence of the European Parliament

    ...

  • Ms Sascha Faxe, MP – Member of the Defence, Resilience and Preparedness Committee of the Danish Folketing

    ...

  • Mr Marcin Ociepa, MP – Member of the National Defence Committee of the Polish Sejm, former Deputy Minister of National Defence

    ...

  • Mr Gusty Graas, MP - President of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation, Foreign Trade and the Greater Region of the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

    ...