In 2025, the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) and the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade launched the first edition of a series of Noon Talks for Luxembourg officials, within the framework of their collaboration.
The initiative aims to bring together Luxembourg officials and leading experts to exchange views on current challenges and key topics in international and European cooperation and development.
Key Discussions and Speakers in 2025
For its inaugural edition in 2025, the series featured four sessions:
Skander Nasra, Senior Advisor to Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, delivered an analysis of the evolution of EU enlargement and its adaptation to a shifting international landscape. His intervention highlighted the geopolitical urgency of enlargement in the current international context. The session underlined the continued relevance of enlargement as a strategic tool for stability, security, and influence. It explored the evolution of EU enlargement and its adaptation to a rapidly changing international landscape.
Matt Petit, former U.S. servant, examined key trends in U.S. foreign policy, drawing on insights from his extensive career in the Foreign Service. The Noon Talk explored both long-standing and emerging trends in U.S. foreign policy, offering perspectives on current developments and the future of transatlantic relations.
Nicole Koenig, Head of Policy at the Munich Security Conference, addressed the European Union’s current challenges in the areas of defence and security. Her intervention focused on three critical dimensions: the limited time available to strengthen European defence capabilities, the evolving nature of the transatlantic relationship, and the risk of narrow industrial interests undermining European cooperation and economies of scale. The debate highlighted the significant geostrategic, political, and economic implications for EU Member States.
Sami Andoura, visiting Professor at the College of Europe, focused on the key challenges facing Europe’s energy policy. He emphasised the central role of energy in the EU’s foundations and stressed that, today more than ever, energy is as vital as defence in shaping Europe’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness. His intervention called for pragmatic and innovative thinking from both Member States and European institutions to secure Europe’s leadership in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
