Habamos de ...Los retos de Europa

Europe is going through one of the most complex and decisive moments in its recent history. The international order is being redefined at great speed, and the European Union faces strategic challenges that directly affect its security, its economic model, its global role, and the cohesion of its societies. In this new session of “Talking About,” organized by the Institute of Spain, we analyze in depth the major challenges facing Europe in the current international context. Journalist and Europa Press diplomatic correspondent Leire Guijo moderates a high-level debate with two leading experts: Ana María Gil-Fuente, member of the Royal Academy of Economic and Financial Sciences and director of the Observatory of International Economics, and Castor Díaz Barrado, member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation and professor of Public International Law. The discussion addresses how key events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China as an economic power, and the evolving relationship between the United States and the European Union are forcing Europe to rethink its role in the world. One of the central themes of the debate is the increase in defense spending, the role of NATO, and the pressure on member states to increase their investment in security, cybersecurity, innovation, and technology. The speakers reflect on whether strengthening European defense is compatible with maintaining the welfare state and explain why security and social protection need not be opposing concepts. Furthermore, they analyze the need for greater public education so that citizens understand how these investments directly impact their stability and well-being. Another major challenge discussed is immigration, a structural phenomenon that Europe must address from a realistic, legal, and humanitarian perspective. The debate centers on the relationship between security, development cooperation, and migration flows; the role of international aid; the importance of combating irregular immigration without criminalizing migrants; and the need for legal, safe, and orderly pathways, always with respect for human rights. The debate also focuses on the aging of Europe's population, the need for labor, the sustainability of social systems, and the key role that well-managed immigration can play in Europe's economic future. All of this is framed within a broader reflection on European values: democracy, international cooperation, sustainable development, and fundamental rights. This dialogue is essential for understanding Europe's challenges in the 21st century, its strategic dilemmas, and the decisions that will shape its future in an increasingly multipolar world.