Impressions from our networking reception in Parliament this week which also marked the end of Anja Richter as UK Country Director & welcomed Michael Richter. Thanks to @GregHands & @GermanEmbassy for speaking about the bilateral relationship and to everyone else joining us🎄

Our 2nd speaker, former EC Sec-Gen Catherine Day, makes her optimistic case:new Commission starts under difficult circumstances but VDL is going robustly and confidently into her second term (exp to be ‘presidential’)-15 EPP commissioners also make it comfortable for her @CER_EU

We’re live at our joint lunch panel on expectations of new 🇪🇺Commission. Marco Buti kicking off with his thoughts pointing to strong centralisation of the EC, increased influence of Baltic countries (nexus of economic&security) and pleading not to do ‘Draghi a la carte’ @CER_EU

Just back from European Defence Industry Capacity conference and meetings in Brussels! Highlights: • Meetings with former UK & German defence officials • Networking with industry leaders • Visit to Bavaria's EU Representation Lots of food for thought!

The latest HSS Global Perspectives is out & available here: tinyurl.com/422jtj5u It features #CentralAsia’s evolving role in #geopolitics, the unpredictable #2024USelection, policy implications of India's Narendra #Modi's decisive victory, #circulareconomy & much more!

Great to catch-up with @Jackson_Carlaw and @murdo_fraser on current political developments in Scotland and Germany and the similar challenges we face, incl. cost of living crisis, low economic growth, and increasing disillusionment with politics among voters.

What a delight to join the #GermanUnityDay celebrations in #Edinburgh hosted by Consul General @GermanCGEdin and Anna Schennach from the Bavarian gov’s London office, including a rendition of ‘High Cathedral’ in a throwback to how the #TartanArmy charmed the Germans this summer⚽️

Standing room only at our fringe event at #CPC2024 with @KAS_UKIRL @ConsEurope where we are discussing the future of European Conservatives - @MarkusFerber shares insights from the @EPP ‘s strong performance in this year’s European elections and across 🇪🇺member states

On the margins of #CPC2024 in Birmingham we are discussing with politicians and experts where the Conservative Party is heading after its defeat and how we can work together on the challenges we face as Europeans. Great to be joined by @GermanAmbUK as well! @KAS_UKIRL

More on last week's delegation visit here (in German) 🤓: hss.de/news/detail/neustart-…

Financing the Defence of Europe: Access to finance constrains efforts to increase European defence ind. capacity&deliver capability to the armed forces. At our roundtable we discussed how to overcome regulatory hurdles, mobilise private capital&build resilient economies @IISS_org

At a crucial time for🇩🇪🇬🇧relations we're delighted to host a Bavarian delegation including Members of the @Landtag_Bayern in London for a series of bilat meetings&discussions on #EuropeanSecurity,the economy&the prospect for closer 🇬🇧🇪🇺 relations under the new Labour government.

'A magic dwells in each beginning'... short take (in 🇩🇪) on the King's Speech and Labour's 'reset' with Europe: hss.de/news/detail/das-erste…

Excellent stocktake and discussion on where we are and opportunities to improve cooperation. Many thanks for the invitation and the opportunity to contribute!

Continuing our excellent cooperation w/@IISS_org led by @B_Giegerich we convened the 7th meeting of our 'Study Group' format on #EuropeanDefence, this time digging a little deeper into how to improve European defence industry cooperation w/perspectives from 🇩🇪🇬🇧🇫🇷🇮🇹🇵🇱.