Hearings

SEDE organised a public hearing on 'Russian influence in South-East Europe' on Monday 3rd December 2018, from 17.00 to 18.30, with external experts

SEDE organised a public hearing on 'The threats posed by drones to Europe's armed forces' on Tuesday 20 November 2018, from 09.30 to 11.00, with external experts.

SEDE organised a public hearing on 'Artificial intelligence and its future impact on security' on Wednesday 10 October 2018, from 09.00 to 11.30, with four external experts.

SEDE organised a public hearing on soldiers' rights in EU Member States with representatives of the European Organisation of Military Associations (EUROMIL) and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

On 7 December 2017, AFET/SEDE held an extraordinary joint hearing on North Korea to discuss the continuing deterioration of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The aim of the hearing is to assess the threat posed by the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile build-up and possible consequences for the global non-proliferation regime. Members will also analyse different options for the EU and international community to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

On 22 November 2017, the Subcommittee discussed, with the involvement of 3 experts, risks and trends and their security implications for the EU as well as EU efforts to mitigate the security relevant effects of climate change. It also examined to what extent increased economic/military activities, impact on desertification, land degradation, water and food scarcity can be linked to climate change and what major effects they has on EU security.

On 11 October 2017, SEDE held a public hearing on the militarisation in the Black Sea. The hearing was timely, as the regional security situation on the eastern flank has become very challenging for the EU and NATO. It focused on the security situation following the Russian illegal annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, the hearing analysed the military strategic consequences of the conflicts and the possibilities to foster stability and cooperation.

The continued fragile security situation in Eastern Europe and the resurgence of Russian power politics prompts the Subcommittee on Security and Defence to examine, also in the context of the upcoming Russian-Belorussian military exercise "Zapad 2017" to take place in Belorussia in mid-September and close to the EU's external borders, various angles of the ongoing development in the post-Soviet space, which impact on regional stability and beyond.

The East and South China Sea is a strategic maritime link and a major trade route with rich fishing grounds and oil and gas reserves. Mounting conflicts between neighbouring countries (in particular China, the Philippines and Vietnam) have resulted in growing security tension and militarisation of the region. The hearing addresses security implications of the territorial disputes for global and European security, and the role the EU could play in easing tensions in the region.

An International Coalition including EU Member States is fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and has made considerable progress in the last months. However, the Islamic State is spreading its influence further in North Africa and is conducting terrorist attacks in the Muslim World and in Europe. The hearing aims to look at the situation in Iraq, Syria and North Africa, the progress of the military campaign as well as the perspectives for further engagement against the Islamic State.