The Brussels Office of the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) is delighted to invite you

to a seminar entitled

Economic Security and Competitiveness:

Can They Go Hand in Hand?

_________________

18 October 2024 (Friday)
10:00-11:50
NCBR Brussels Office/Business and Science Poland
Rue Belliard 40, 5^th floor
_________________

As political tensions between world powers mount, economic relations become more confrontational. Ursula von der Leyen spoke about “a world in which everything is weaponised”, Mario Draghi claimed that “others do not obey the rules anymore”. In recent years the EU has adopted a number of measures to ensure a level-playing field and protect itself against economic coercion. Yet as it draws significant benefits from trade, the Union remains committed to openness. Its objective is to reduce dangerous dependencies and become more resilient, not to decouple from partners. Can the Union improve its economic security while stimulating growth, decarbonising, and remaining faithful to its cooperation-friendly creed?

The aim of the seminar is to take stock of the measures taken since the publication of the European Commission communication on economic security in June 2023, highlight the main tasks for the new Commission, and analyse the trade-offs related to de-risking and reducing dependencies, especially in terms of impact on EU’s competitiveness. The participants will also discuss the conditions for an effective “economic foreign policy”, advocated by Mario Draghi, and ways to promote trade and cooperation in a world in which the major players seem bent on boosting their strategic autonomy. It will also be an opportunity to consider the views of the business community on strengthening economic security.

The seminar will start with a short presentation of PISM report discussing the main challenges for the European Commission in the new political cycle.

Agenda:

9:30–10:00  Registration and coffee

10:00–10:10 Welcome
 

• Waldemar Dubaniowski, Director, Brussels Office of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)
• Melchior Szczepanik, Head of Brussels Office, Polish Institute of International Affairs
   

10:10–10:25 Presentation of the PISM report “EU 2029: Challenges and Recommendations for the European Commission”
 

• Jolanta Szymańska, Head of EU Programme, Polish Institute of International Affairs
   

10:25–11:50 Panel discussion: Economic Security and Competitiveness: Can They Go Hand in Hand?
 

• Piotr Dzierżanowski, Analyst, Global Affairs Programme, Polish Institute of International Affairs
• Anna Kolesnichenko, Policy Analyst, Foundation for European Progressive Studies
• Georg Riekeles, Associate Director, Head of Europe’s Political Economy Programme, European Policy Centre
• Jean-Charles Van Eeckhaute, Deputy to the Director, Strategic External Policy Issues, Secretariat-General, European Commission
• Stépanie Tison, Deputy Director of the International Department, Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF)
  
  Moderator: Melchior Szczepanik, Head of Brussels Office, Polish Institute of International Affairs

To confirm attendance and for any inquiries, please send an email to brusselsoffice@pism.pl