Amicale

The European Parliamentary Association and the Danish Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe are glad to invite you to a debate entitled “Ukraine and security in Europe: How can the EU and the Council of Europe join forces?”. This event will take place on Tuesday 21 October, from 20:00 to 21:15, in the villa of our Association (76 allée de la Robertsau, Strasbourg).

To attend this debate, please register here: https://forms.gle/iXgarnTufUgumH5N6

At a time when Russian drones have violated the airspace of several EU countries, the need to reinforce Europe’s security is becoming increasingly urgent. The EU is pushing forward with new defence projects, including the concept of a “drone wall”, while continuing to provide vital economic, military, humanitarian and legal support to Ukraine. However, beyond immediate defence and solidarity, there are also broader issues at stake, such as accountability for war crimes, reconstruction, the protection of children, and ensuring that Ukraine’s path towards EU membership remains credible.

How can the EU and the Council of Europe, during the Danish EU Presidency, collaborate to provide Ukraine with effective, lasting support? How can they combine their strengths in defence, justice and human rights to secure Ukraine’s – and Europe’s – future?

We will discuss these issues with two Danish voices bringing experience from politics and diplomacy: 

• Villy Søvndal – Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA, Denmark). He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark from 2011 to 2013. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee, a Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and a Substitute Member of the Committee on Defence.

• Michael Aastrup Jensen – Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the Council of Europe since August 2025. He previously served as a Member of the Danish Parliament (2005–2025) for the Liberal Party (Venstre), where he also chaired the Foreign Policy Committee from 2022 to 2025.

The discussion will take place in English; no interpretation will be provided.

A cocktail reception will follow. 

This initiative is supported by the City of Strasbourg, the Collectivité européenne d'Alsace, the Région Grand Est and the Préfecture de la Région Grand Est.