Podcast: Download the keynote audio podcast from this event here
About the Speech:
In his address, Ambassador Stevens discussed the future strategic approaches and policy tools that the EU will adopt, to deal with the internal and external challenges, which it faces, in the context of increased uncertainty and insecurity. Ambassador Stevens argued that there is a need to rethink the Union’s approach to Common Foreign and Security Policy, in light of the security crises, which are directly impacting on citizens’ lives. He referred to the EU Global Strategy, presented by the HR Frederica Mogherini in June 2016, which favours a more strategic European Union of security and defence and reinforces our engagement with our neighbours.
About the Speaker:
Ambassador Walter Stevens has been the Permanent Chair of the EU’s Political and Security Committee since 2013. He was Director of the EEAS Crisis Management and Planning Directorate from 2011 to 2013. A Belgian diplomat, he served as Deputy Chief and then Chief of Staff of the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2009 and as Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister from 2000 to 2003. He was posted to several Belgian Embassies, including Washington DC, Riyadh, Geneva and The Hague. Ambassador Stevens holds a Masters in Political and Social Sciences from the Catholic University of Leuven and a Diploma in Development Studies from the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve.
