During this closed session, more than a year after the leading Draghi report, you will engage in a discussion with Heleen Bakker, Director-General of European Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other Directors responsible for Europe. The central question: how can Europe strengthen its strategic position, and what role do companies play in this? The discussion offers an opportunity to exchange experiences, explore opportunities, and collectively reflect on the role of public-private partnerships in a changing world. We cordially invite you to this exclusive conversation.
Event for Chief Executive Officers and Board Members
17:30 | Start of program (including presentation, discussion and 3-course dinner)
20:30 | End of formal program, opportunity for informal networking
Language: English
Turner, Huize ‘De Boom’, Leusden
Director-General European Cooperation
Heleen Bakker is currently the Director-General for European Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, a position she has held since 2024. Prior to this, she served as Director for European and International Affairs at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (2020–2024). Earlier in her career, she was Deputy Head of Mission and Head of the Political Department at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington D.C. and held senior roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Head of the EU External Policy Division and Speechwriter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in International Relations, from the University of Twente.
In a world where promoting the international rule of law no longer seems effective in achieving the stability and prosperity that are so important to the Netherlands, we are looking for a different course, with new partners. For our resilience in the world – militarily, economically, socially – we now look with more confidence to cooperation within Europe. What can companies and citizens expect from the ‘geopolitical’ European Commission in Brussels, and what attitude does the Netherlands adopt in the Council of 27 member states? Does Europe have sufficient clout, ‘strategic autonomy’ and technological leadership on the world stage, do we have the right instruments to increase our competitiveness – or is the machine getting stuck in regulations and differences of opinion? What is the European response to leaders such as Trump, Xi, Putin, and what is that response worth?
During this closed session, more than a year after the leading Draghi report, you will engage in a discussion with Heleen Bakker, Director-General of European Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other Directors responsible for Europe. The central question: how can Europe strengthen its strategic position, and what role do companies play in this? The discussion offers an opportunity to exchange experiences, explore opportunities, and collectively reflect on the role of public-private partnerships in a changing world. We cordially invite you to this exclusive conversation.
