Prague,(PR) : The international conference Europe as a Task took place at Prague Castle and the Černín Palace on 12-13 May 2025. The event was organised by leading Czech think tanks and was attended by President Petr Pavel, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský, Vice-President of the European Commission Teresa Ribera, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and other European leaders. The main topics were security, competitiveness and the geopolitical position of Europe in a changing world.
In his speech, Minister Lipavský identified security, competitiveness, and the redefinition of Europe’s role as the three strategic tasks of today’s Europe. He paid special attention to supporting Ukraine and strengthening European defense.
” A strong, sovereign and well-armed Ukraine is essential for deterring future aggression in Europe. As some say – we must make Ukraine a porcupine that will deter any Russian attack, ” he said.
The minister also recalled the Czech commitment to increase defense spending. ” The two percent commitment to defense was in force in peacetime. But that time is over. Europe must finally unlock its full defense potential, ” added the head of Czech diplomacy.
Economic recovery and Europe’s ability to face global competition were also important topics. “‘ Business as usual ‘ is not possible. Europe suffers from excessive regulation and has difficulty attracting investment. We must eliminate structural weaknesses if we want to be globally relevant, ” the minister pointed out.
The conference was organized by leading Czech think tanks – the Institute of International Relations, EUROPEUM and the Association for International Affairs – with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The outcomes of the discussions will serve as a basis for upcoming European decisions and strategic documents.