Lecture
The European Union’s role in security and global affairs: A review of the Danish EU Council Presidency and ways ahead
- Ulf Melgaard
- Date
- Monday 8 December 2025
- Time
- Explanation
- please note: free entrance, but registration required
- Address
-
Wijnhaven
Turfmarkt 99
2511 DP The Hague - Room
- Spanish Steps
This event is a lecture and Q&A session with Ulf Melgaard, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the OPCW. In combination with the Award of the Leiden University Europe Hub Thesis Prize 2025.
From June 2025 to December 2025 Denmark has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a crucial moment for the EU’s policies in the field of security, but also for Europe’s wider relations with international partners and organisations. Accordingly, the Danish Presidency Programme prioritized EU security and defence (particularly in the light of Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine), but also the support to the United Nations system and effective multilateralism at a time when the international legal order, peace, human rights and global justice are severely undermined.
This event, co-organized by the FGGA Honours Class on EU Negotiation, the Jean Monnet Chair on the EU’s role in Security and Global Affairs (EURISGA) and Leiden University’s Europe Hub, will offer an opportunity to review the achievements and challenges of the Danish Presidency and identify ways ahead for the European Union’s role in security and global affairs.
The event will also feature the award of the 2025 MA Thesis prize of Leiden University’s Europe Hub and will round off with a light reception.
Programme
| 14.30 hrs. |
Welcome by Professor Joachim Koops, Jean Monnet Chair, EURISGA Leiden University |
| 14.35 – 15.05 hrs. | Lecture by Ambassador Ulf Melgaard |
| 15.05 – 15.45 hrs. | Q&A |
| 15.45 – 16.00 hrs. | Award of the Europe Hub MA Thesis Prize 2025 |
| 16.00 – 17.00 hrs. | Reception |
