Breakfast Debate archivos - Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo

07/05 Breakfast-debate with Nicolas Lyrakides, Transport & Communications Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU

Cámara BeLux — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:25:50 +0000

07/05 Breakfast-debate with Nicolas Lyrakides, Transport & Communications Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU

Next Thursday 7^th May, from 9.00 to 10.00 a.m., the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg is organising a breakfast-debate with the participation of Nicolas Lyrakides, Transport & Communications Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU.

The event will take place in Brussels, at the premises of the Chamber (Avenue des Arts 1-2, 9th floor, 1210 Brussels). The topic of the presentation will be: “Transport Priorities of the Cypriot EU Presidency”.

The presentation will be in English. You can register for this breakfast in the following link.

REGISTRATION

La entrada 07/05 Breakfast-debate with Nicolas Lyrakides, Transport & Communications Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU se publicó primero en Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo.

06/05 Breakfast-debate with Carmen Romero, NATO Director of Security Policy

Cámara BeLux — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:38:34 +0000

06/05 Breakfast-debate with Carmen Romero, NATO Director of Security Policy

Next Wednesday 6th May, from 9.00 to 10.00 a.m., the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg is organising a breakfast-debate with the participation of Carmen Romero, NATO Director of Security Policy.

The event will take place in Brussels, at the premises of the Chamber (Avenue des Arts 1-2, 9th floor, 1210 Brussels). The topic of the presentation will be: “NATO’s political priorities”.

The presentation will be in English. You can register for this breakfast in the following link.

REGISTRATION

En colaboración con:

La entrada 06/05 Breakfast-debate with Carmen Romero, NATO Director of Security Policy se publicó primero en Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo.

Nadia Calviño highlights the importance of investing in European companies to boost competitiveness and self-reliance

Cámara BeLux — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:00:36 +0000

Nadia Calviño highlights the importance of investing in European companies to boost competitiveness and self-reliance

Investment in European companies is key to boosting the region’s competitiveness and autonomy. This was the view expressed by Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), at the lunch debate organised by the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg on Wednesday 18 March.

The event, which took place in Luxembourg, brought together companies from various sectors for a networking session that preceded the luncheon debate, opened by the Chamber’s president, Pablo López Álvarez. He offered a few words of thanks to both the attendees and the speaker, whom he welcomed by outlining her career.

David Luengo, director of the Brussels office of the Indra Group, the event’s sponsor, then emphasised the importance of investing in sectors that enable Europe to improve its competitiveness at full speed, particularly, he noted, at a time of constant change.

Calviño then took the floor to emphasise that European companies are just as innovative as those in other regions of the world, making it essential to work towards becoming attractive to investment. At the same time, she mentioned the importance of establishing a regulatory framework for these companies without losing the thrust policy.

Following the presentation, there was a brief question-and-answer session in which topics such as investment strategy and the EIB’s role in the European growth strategy were raised.

Vicente Hurtado Roa outlines the implementation of the definitive CBAM regime

Cámara BeLux — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Vicente Hurtado Roa outlines the implementation of the definitive CBAM regime

On Thursday, 26 February, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a breakfast debate with the Head of Unit for CBAM, Energy and Green Taxation at the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), Vicente Hurtado Roa, who presented the main elements of the definitive regime of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the changes introduced by the Omnibus I Regulation.

The event began with a brief introduction of the speaker by Asier Marquina, Member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, followed by an intervention introducing the topic of the debate by Silvia Bakardjieva, Account Director at EPPA, the company sponsoring the event.

As the speaker explained, in this new phase of CBAM the EU seeks to ensure a level playing field, common rules for importers, and stronger incentives for industrial decarbonisation. To this end, the Omnibus I Regulation introduces simplifications, such as a 50-tonne threshold for the four main sectors, reducing the administrative burden. In 2025, around 200,000 import operations were recorded in the EU.

Regarding the action plan, Hurtado Roa explained that 2026 will serve as a preparatory year, while the effective purchase of certificates will begin in 2027 and the first definitive declarations must be submitted before September 2027.

From 2027 onwards, new sectors may be prioritised, and as of 2028 the scope could be extended to certain processed products, particularly those containing iron and steel, among others. The Commission is also working in coordination with countries such as Norway and Iceland in this context.

Following the presentation, attendees at the breakfast had the opportunity to ask questions and share reflections with the speaker, particularly regarding certificates, administrative implications for importers, and the extension of the scope to new sectors.

22/06 Breakfast debate on “The Atlantic Corridor: a critical integration project for Europe’s competitiveness, internal market and strategic autonomy”

Cámara BeLux — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:59:04 +0000

22/06 Breakfast debate on ‘The Atlantic Corridor: a critical integration project for Europe’s competitiveness, internal market and strategic autonomy’

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg is organising a breakfast debate on Monday 22 June, between 9 am and 10 am, on ‘The Atlantic Corridor: a critical integration project for Europe’s competitiveness, internal market and strategic autonomy’. The speaker will be José Antonio Sebastián, Spanish Government Commissioner for the Atlantic Corridor.

The Atlantic Corridor is one of the nine major priority transport corridors included in the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). It is a multimodal infrastructure that integrates railways, roads, ports, airports, intermodal freight terminals and actions in urban nodes (cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants).

It connects Portugal, Spain, France, Germany and Ireland with the rest of the European Union, forming a single integrated, interoperable and multimodal transport network. The aim is to develop infrastructure with identical quality standards in all Member States.

The event will take place at the Chamber’s offices (Avenue des Arts 1-2, 9th floor, 1210 Brussels, Belgium) and will be held in English. Limited places available.

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La entrada 22/06 Breakfast debate on “The Atlantic Corridor: a critical integration project for Europe’s competitiveness, internal market and strategic autonomy” se publicó primero en Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo.

María Luisa Tierno Centella presents European cooperation agreements within competition policy

Cámara BeLux — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:45:02 +0000

María Luisa Tierno Centella presents European cooperation agreements within competition policy

On Tuesday, 24 February, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a breakfast debate with the Head of Unit for International Relations at DG COMP, María Luisa Tierno Centella, who presented the main lines of European cooperation agreements within the framework of competition policy. With these agreements, the EU aims to ensure the convergence of competition policy instruments and practices at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.

The meeting began with an introduction by the president of Competencia España, Cecilio Madero-Villarejo, who outlined the lines of work of the European Union’s competition unit, followed by Tierno Centella’s presentation.

The head of the DG COMP unit explained some of the first and second generation bilateral agreements held by EU, as well as the memoranda of understanding offering assistance to countries with emerging economies, and agreements with neighbouring countries promoting the application of rules similar to those in Europe. She then mentioned the situation of multilateral cooperation agreements that promote mutual knowledge and understanding. In short, Tierno Centella defined the competition policy framework in today’s complex international context.

Finally, those attending the breakfast were able to share their questions and thoughts with the speaker, for example regarding agreements with China or the United States. During the meeting, there was also an opportunity for networking among attendees.

An event by:

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Lourdes Acedo Montoya analyses the role of the European budget in improving competitiveness

Cámara BeLux — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:33:58 +0000

Lourdes Acedo Montoya analyses the role of the European budget in improving competitiveness

For Lourdes Acedo Montoya, Head of Unit for Coordination and Chief Economist (BUDG.01), competitiveness is one of the keys to growth in Europe. On Friday 13 February, she analysed the composition of the European budget, the challenges and the strategies to be followed to improve it from a financial point of view at the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The breakfast debate began with the presentation of the topic and the speaker by the president of the Chamber, Pablo López-Álvarez, who thanked the speaker and the attendees for their presence. Acedo Montoya then outlined the current and future European budget, indicating, among other things, that the focus is on critical technology-related sectors.

At the same time, she offered an analysis of the single market, access to STEP Seals and access to the European budget for different projects, as well as how to increase its transparency and funding opportunities, and how to adapt the future plan to a constantly changing world.

Following the speaker’s presentation, professionals from different fields who attended the meeting were able to raise different perspectives, doubts and questions with Acedo Montoya, which opened a debate on Europe’s current budget and how to include the private sector in this structure.

La entrada Lourdes Acedo Montoya analyses the role of the European budget in improving competitiveness se publicó primero en Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo.

Alberto Fernández Díez explains the role of European companies in the geopolitical context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Cámara BeLux — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:55:05 +0000

Alberto Fernández Díez explains the role of European companies in the geopolitical context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

On Thursday 22 January 2026, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a breakfast debate with Alberto Fernández Díez, member of the cabinet of Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement.

During the meeting, entitled ‘The reconstruction of Ukraine: role and perspectives for European companies,’ Fernández Díez explained the strategic framework on which the European Union is working to collaborate with Ukraine and help the country regain its autonomy after the Russian invasion.

The presentation began with a few words from the president of the Chamber, Pablo López-Álvarez, who thanked the speaker for his presence. Fernández Díez then began his speech by explaining the context in which the Russian invasion of Ukraine took place, going back to the fall of the USSR and offering a detailed review of the evolution of geopolitical relations between the two countries over the last thirty years.

According to the speaker, over the last two years, due to the turbulent state of international relations, the EU’s position on defense has hardened. In this regard, strengthening the Ukrainian internal market is one of the Union’s priorities in terms of international cooperation: ‘We want Ukraine to generate wealth and prosperity again.’

Following the presentation, there was a question-and-answer session in which attendees discussed how Spanish and European companies can collaborate in the reconstruction of Ukraine within the framework of European international cooperation.

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Nati Lorenzo analyzes the evolution of Global Gateway and its influence on international partnerships

Cámara BeLux — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:20:06 +0000

Nati Lorenzo analyzes the evolution of Global Gateway and its influence on international partnerships

On Tuesday, December 2, a breakfast debate took place at the Chamber in which Nati Lorenzo, member of the cabinet of Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, spoke on “Reframing Public-Private Collaboration: Global Gateway and the Future of International Partnerships”.

The session was inaugurated by Pablo López Álvarez, president of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, who welcomed the participants and thanked the speaker for her presence.

Nati Lorenzo began with a brief explanation of the changes brought about by Global Gateway, created in 2021, which marked the transition from a fragmented model of external cooperation to a more unified and consolidated framework. As a result, the numerous external instruments covering the various lines of cooperation and development are now integrated under a single main financial instrument, the NDICI-Global Europe. It has five priority areas of investment: transport, energy, digitalization, health, and education and research. This change also redefined the role of Member States, which are now fully integrated into the decision-making process.

With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Gateway strategy demonstrated its ability to effectively bring together the private sector and public institutions in response to a global health crisis, facilitating the coordination and financing of projects related to the creation and distribution of vaccines.

The initial goal was to mobilize up to €300 billion in global investments; however, this number has already been reached, with more than €306 billion to date. Nevertheless, there are also challenges to be faced. Lorenzo points out that the biggest challenge is to “get better faster”: Global Gateway has built global trust, but not fast enough. In the current sensitive geopolitical landscape, it is crucial to promote mutual benefits with partners that contribute to strengthening resilience against rivals, which requires further improving and adapting existing tools.

Following the speaker’s presentation, a question-and-answer session was held, in which professionals from different sectors and with different interests participated, giving rise to an enriching debate. Topics discussed included the financial support intended for Latin America, the role of NGOs as key players in the implementation of projects, and the role of SMEs and what they can contribute within this collaborative framework.

La entrada Nati Lorenzo analyzes the evolution of Global Gateway and its influence on international partnerships se publicó primero en Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo.

Katinka Clausdatter Worsøe explains the Danish Presidency’s plans in the digital field

Cámara BeLux — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:45:06 +0000

Katinka Clausdatter Worsøe explains the Danish Presidency’s plans in the digital field

On Friday, 5 September, Katinka Clausdatter Worsøe, Digitalisation Counsellor at Denmark’s Permanent Representation to the EU, presented the Danish Presidency’s priorities in the digital field at the Chamber’s premises.

The presentation began with a brief introduction by the President of the Chamber, Pablo López Álvarez, who framed the event within the framework of the Chamber’s line of breakfast debates that seek to follow up on the presidencies of the EU Council.

The counsellor then recalled the issues on the EU’s digital agenda for the current semester, such as the digital single market, artificial intelligence, cloud, connectivity, big data, digital public services and international digitalisation.

In this regard, Clausdatter outlined the two main priorities of the Danish Presidency: enhancing Europe’s digital competitiveness by boosting digital capabilities in key technologies, and ensuring that the digital space is safe for minors by implementing measures such as age verification.

Finally, the speaker outlined the complete legislative and activity agenda of the Danish Presidency’s Ministry of Digitalisation.

The session ended with an extensive question and answer session in which topics such as Web3 and the open Internet, AI legislation and online protection of minors, among other issues, were raised.

La entrada Katinka Clausdatter Worsøe explains the Danish Presidency’s plans in the digital field se publicó primero en Cámara Oficial de Comercio de España en Bélgica y Luxemburgo.