A European Security Council: Cockpit for the EU?

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue cordially invites you to a panel discussion with European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, MEP Sergey Lagodinsky and Dr. Rosa Balfour:

A European Security Council: Cockpit for the EU? 
Debating proposals for a new decision-making body

When: Monday 2 March 2026, 17:00-19:00, followed by a reception

Where: Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU, Rue Montoyer 47, 1000 Brussels

The world around Europe is changing fast. Geopolitical shifts are challenging the international order, Russia’s war in Ukraine has upset the European security architecture. And old alliances are no longer as reliable. Faced with these challenges Europe needs to step up. But are EU decision-making mechanisms fit for purpose? The current modus operandi mostly requires consensus among the 27 Member States resulting in a slow response rate. Recent crises have thus revived calls for a “European Security Council”, an idea that has been prominently advanced by EU Commissioner Kubilius. At the same time, MEP Sergey Lagodinsky has put forward a detailed institutional proposal outlining legal pathways, governance models, and safeguards for democratic legitimacy.

At this panel discussion, we will debate the idea and potential blueprints for such a European Security Council.

Agenda

17:00 Registration and refreshments

17:30 Welcome by Rainer Steffens, Director of the Representation of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU and Roderick Kefferpütz, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU | Global Dialogue

17:40 Keynote by Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space

17:50 Statement by Sergey Lagodinsky MEP (Greens/EFA) on his proposal “Becoming Sovereign: A Proposal for the Establishment of a European Security Council"

18:00 Panel discussion and Q&A with panelists:

• EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius
• MEP Sergey Lagodinsky
• Dr. Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe

Moderated by Dr. Katharina Emschermann, Head of Programme - EU and International Politics, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU | Global Dialogue

19:00 Reception

To register, RSVP via this link. Places will be attributed on a first come first served policy.

For any questions, please contact Dr. Katharina Emschermann.