The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Australia and Ƶ (ANU) National Security College co-hosted the Road to Schuman Security and Defence Forum 2026, bringing together senior officials, diplomats, policy practitioners and researchers to consider the future of Australia–Europe security cooperation.
Finland’s Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mr Antti Häkkänen, delivered the keynote address before joining NSC Head Professor Rory Medcalf AM for a conversation.
Minister Häkkänen reflected on the consequences of Russia’s war on Ukraine and the interconnected nature of the European and Indo-Pacific theatres. He called on like-minded democracies to work closely with one another in the areas of defence industry, critical technologies, maritime domain awareness, cyber security and supply-chain resilience.
Studying the way that European democracies are going about their security is going to be very beneficial for Australia,” said Professor Medcalf, while adding that “…whatever we do, we have to do it in an Australian way.
Minister Häkkänen also discussed Finland’s comprehensive security model, under which government, businesses, civil society and citizens have clearly understood responsibilities in preparing for crises. He emphasised the importance of assessing national risks honestly, developing contingency plans and ensuring that people and institutions understand how they would contribute during a crisis.
The exchange built on the NSC's continuing work in this space, including the College’s analysis examining what Australia can learn from Finland’s approach to .
The panel discussion which followed this built on the conversation by considering how Australia’s work with European partners could translate from common interests into practical cooperation.
Moderated by NSC’s Sharryn Parker, the panel featured former Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Simon Stuart AO DSC (Retd), former Australian Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO Caroline Millar, Visiting Fellow of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces at ASPI Dr Eric Frécon and Professor Rory Medcalf AM.
The panellists discussed the importance of three pillars to Australia-Europe cooperation – free trade, defence and security, and scientific and research partnership. They also noted that Australia must develop its own model of resilience, informed by international experience but grounded in Australian values, institutions, geography and society.
What happens in one region matters to the other. This is why we are closer today than perhaps ever before. There is a strong need to work effectively together to address challenges cohesively.
The discussions will help inform the Schuman Security and Defence Forum in Brussels, carrying Australian perspectives into the next stage of the EU’s engagement with international security partners.
NSC thanks our partners at the Delegation of the European Union to Australia and the Embassy of Finland in Australia, our Distinguished Advisors Caroline Millar and LTGEN Simon Stuart AO DSC (Retd), and everyone who attended and contributed to this timely discussion.
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