Wednesday 6 May @ 09.30 – 12.00

On Wednesday, MEP Reinis Poznaks will co-host an international workshop on the role of drones in Europe’s security and defence.

The event will bring together policymakers, industry representatives, and security experts to examine how the European Union can better translate its strong technological and research base in the drone sector into effective deployment and operational capacity. Despite global leadership in innovation, Europe continues to face challenges in scaling up and integrating drone technologies, particularly when compared to more deployment-oriented international competitors. The first panel discussion will focus on the regulatory and structural barriers that hinder large-scale deployment in Europe. The second panel will address the growing threat posed by drones to critical infrastructure across Member States. The workshop will contribute to the broader policy debate on Europe’s defence readiness, technological sovereignty and internal security, highlighting the need for a more coordinated and strategic approach to drone deployment and protection.

When: Wednesday @ 09.30 – 12.00

Where: SPINELLI 1H1

AGENDA:

9:30 Welcome Remarks

MEP Reinis Poznaks

MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen

9:40 I. Panel Discussion: Why Europe Innovates but Doesn’t Deploy?

Moderator

Jan-Christoph Oetjen

MEP Renew, Germany

Speakers

• Larissa Haas, Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Office of Civil Aviation in Switzerland
• Christine Raab, Independent drone expert and former Secretary-General of AME
• Julie Marionneau, Director of International Relations, Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space (ADS) Group

Q&A Session

10:35 II. Panel Discussion: Enhancing Resilience of Member State Critical Infrastructure Against Drone Attacks

Moderator

Reinis Poznaks

MEP ECR, Latvia

Speakers

• Oliver Lichtenstein, Co-Chairman of European Association for Unmanned Aviation (UAV Dach)
• Fleur Kokke, Advisor for resilience and (counter-)drones at the Port of Rotterdam
• Claudio Palestini, Head, Innovation and Technology Adoption Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments Division
• Laila Odiņa, Chairwoman of the Board and CEO of RIX Riga Airport

Q&A Session

11.25 Closing remarks

Jan-Christoph Oetjen & Reinis Poznaks