DIALO GUES ON (GEO)POLITICS AND ENERGY TRANSITION
The EU is fundamental for both Spain and the Netherlands to defend their shared interest in a world that is increasingly unstable. Over the recent years, developments such as the pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, growing assertiveness of China and tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere cause geopolitical frictions. In response to these increasing uncertainties, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU (2023) paid special attention to achieving ‘strategic autonomy while maintaining an open economy’ and placed Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA) high on the EU agenda.
Over the past years, The Netherlands and Spain have engaged in constructive dialogue on OSA, reflected in the joint non-paper published in 2021, where they expressed their shared vision. The non-paper proposed several guiding principles across various policy areas, including innovation, a forward-looking industrial policy, and future energy and climate strategies.
During this conference, we will further explore the subject of OSA. Firstly, Lieutenant General (R) (Air Force) Rubén García Servert and Historian Stefanie Massink will delve into Spain’s stance on these geopolitical transformations. Additionally, Abigail Tascón García, Global commodity manager at Siemens-Gamesa, and Valle López Triana, Senior Legal Advisor at Repsol, will explore Spain’s key priorities and strategies in the fields of innovation and energy transition.
PLACE: Belle van Zuilen, Academiegebouw, Domplein, Utrecht
DATE: Friday 13 December 2024
PROGRAM
9: 15 Registration
9:30 Introductory notes by Rebeca Fernandez Rodriguez (Spanish Studies, Utrecht University), Erlijne Wissels (Head of Western Europe Division of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
9:45 Rubén Garcia Servert, Spanish Lieutenant General (R) (Air Force), introduced by Stefanie Massink, Assistant Professor History of International Relations at Utrecht University. Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA) and geopolitical transformations. Bilateral relations, China, Russia, USA.
10.30 Break
10:45 Ábigail Tascón García, Global commodity manager in Aviation and Crew Transfer Vessels at Siemens-Gamesa, and Valle López Triana, Senior Legal Advisor Safety Environmental and Security at Repsol. Spain’s key priorities and strategies in the fields of innovation and energy transition.
11 :30 Panel & Debate, moderated by Hugo Abrial, president of the Foundation Geschiedenis Actueel (GA!), and Santiago Guerra, member of GA!.
12:20 Endnotes by Rebeca Fernandez Rodriguez and Erlijne Wissels
12:30 Lunch