Paris: A high-level seminar on maritime security challenges facing the European Union is taking place in Paris from 28 to 30 April 2025, co-organised by the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy (CSDA) and the French Institute for Higher National Defence Studies (IHEDN), under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).
According to Cyprus News Agency, the seminar, entitled ‘The Challenges of Maritime Security for the European Union,’ gathers civilian and military representatives from EU institutions, agencies, and Member States. The aim is to examine the EU’s strategic maritime interests and promote a collaborative, integrated approach to maritime governance.
During the three-day event, discussions will focus on the urgent need to strengthen regional and international cooperation to address the increasingly complex maritime security environment. A key component of the agenda is the European Union’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), which seeks to improve coordination and consistency in maritime affairs, adhering to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III).
Participants will also explore the impact of climate change on maritime zones, the growing threat of hybrid warfare, and the significance of research, innovation, and risk management in protecting critical and maritime infrastructure. The forthcoming European White Paper for Defence is also set to be part of the discussions.
The seminar commenced with keynote addresses by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to France, Pavlos Kombos, Ambassador Sylvain Berger, Director of the Department of European and International Affairs at IHED, and Major General Charis Georgiou, Director of the Office of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus.