European conference 2025: EU at the Crossroads – Can It Rebuild Stronger?

In his opening keynote speech, Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery and Resilience Plan and Knowledge Economy Peter Kmec focused on the implementation of the national recovery plan and its importance for the modernization of the country. He suggested that the proven methodology of the recovery plan should become a model for the future European budget after 2028, as it better combines European and national priorities. In a diplomatic but relatively critical self-reflection, he acknowledged that Slovakia should more actively support common European solutions, as the current government's approach is not sufficiently constructive towards its European partners.

Experts agreed that the European Union has considerable potential to influence world affairs, but lacks strategic clarity. Although it has a number of sectoral strategies, it lacks an overall vision of its future position in the international system. The conference identified the need to redefine key partnerships, particularly transatlantic relations in the context of the US withdrawal from European affairs. EU enlargement has proven to be the most effective foreign policy tool, with the integration of Ukraine representing not only a moral but above all a security necessity for the entire European project.

The competitiveness analysis revealed a paradox in the European economy: strong fundamentals are hampered by structural problems. The EU can rely on respected regulatory standards, a developed social model, and a skilled workforce, but at the same time it faces challenges in the form of high energy costs, external dependence, and demographic aging. Although progress in renewable energy is encouraging, continued dependence on Russian energy supplies poses a security risk. Europe must accelerate investment in talent and innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, to keep pace with American and Chinese competition.

The debate on European defense has revealed that, although NATO remains the cornerstone of the continent's security, the growing US withdrawal is forcing Europe to make fundamental changes. The conflict in Ukraine has become a catalyst for European defense efforts and has confirmed the need for greater autonomy regardless of political changes across the Atlantic. However, experts warn against unrealistic expectations of rapid capacity building and stress the need for continued cooperation with US partners in key areas.

The conference identified several priorities for the successful development of European defense. In addition to the necessary increase in defense budgets, it is necessary to focus on more efficient use of resources through coordinated procurement and the creation of a stable environment for the defense industry. The key challenge remains the integration of national defense systems into a functional whole that can effectively deter potential aggressors. Participants also pointed to the lack of public preparedness and the need for better communication about security threats and the importance of defense capabilities to European citizens.