The world order is undergoing a profound and accelerating reconfiguration. In this multipolar context, actors such as China, Turkey, Russia, India, and Gulf region countries like the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia, are increasingly asserting themselves as essential strategic partners for the continent. Simultaneously, European states are also seeking to redefine their roles on the continent.

European energy policy sits at the fault line of geopolitical conflict, climate obligations, and transatlantic bargaining. While Hungary, Slovakia and others remain heavily reliant on Russian gas, the EU has sought to harden its stance through sanctions -most recently with Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement of a ban on Russian LNG imports in the 19th package.

Annual Conference of The Study Committe on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) ─ Faced with a profoundly disrupted strategic and economic environment, Franco-German cooperation is more than ever the central pillar of Europe's future. The war in Ukraine, energy and technological dependence, and uncertainty about the strength of the transatlantic ties require urgent deepening of European sovereignty, both in terms of defence and economic and industrial competitiveness.