NATO Night 2025 | HCSS analyst Laura Jasper moderates the Security and Defence Panel

On Wednesday the 30th of April 2025, HCSS Analyst Laura Jasper moderated the Panel “Security and Defence: Towards the NATO Summit in The Hague” at NATO Night 2025 organised at the NATO Staff Centre in Brussels.

Laura moderated in the presence of three panellists who each explained the state of security and defence in Europe from their own angle.

• Colonel Jan Willem Boone – deputy military representative to NATO
• Bas Wels, head of support Ukraine at NATO’s international staff
• Malik Azmani, VVD parliamentary group chairman in the European Parliament

The evening was opened by a key note speech by Ambassador Thijs van der Plas, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to NATO.

During this panel, they looked back at the military developments of the past year and focused on the future, with the NATO summit in June as an important benchmark. From three perspectives — military cooperation, support for Ukraine and European defense responsibility — they discussed the state of affairs and the necessary steps forward.

“Those who want peace must prepare for war. The title of the original previous presentation remains painstakingly accurate, because in uncertain times, the importance of joint preparedness only grows. That is why we came together last Wednesday. In the panel discussion, we looked back on the past, an turbulent year, but above all, we also looked ahead towards June, towards the NATO summit in The Hague. In doing so, we focused on a strategic overview: where are we now, and where do we want to be? The aim was to paint a forward-looking picture of defence. With as central question: how do we collectively build peace and security in a world that is rapidly changing – and what role do we assume in it, as NATO and as Europe? Because peace and security are shared responsibilities.”

“Wednesday’ talks made it clear that cooperation, strategic thinking and European responsibility are needed more than ever. We discussed challenges, but also opportunities. Those who want peace, strengthen tomorrow’s cooperation today – in NATO and within Europe.”

NATO Night 2025 was organised with thanks to VVD Brussels and VVD The Hague.