The Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the UIMP analyze the challenges of the new Europe: defense, AI and strategic autonomy under debate

Management Training

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the UIMP (International University Menéndez Pelayo) are organizing the summer course "Spain in a New Europe" in Santander from July 6 to 10. Experts from the ECB, ministries, and companies such as Roca Group and Mondragón will analyze the EU's competitiveness in defense, energy, and AI.

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A key forum for deciphering the future of European competitiveness

La Cámara de Comercio de España and Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP) will bring together a top-tier panel from the institutional, academic, and business sectors to analyze the challenges facing the Unión Europea. Under the title "Spain in a new Europe"The summer course, which will be held from July 6 to 10 in SantanderIt will focus on the need to strengthen the bloc's strategic autonomy and boost the competitiveness of its business fabric in a highly complex global scenario.

The inauguration will be carried out by José Luis Bonet, President of the Cámara de Comercio de España, and Óscar Arce, Director General of Economics of Banco Central Europeolaying the groundwork for a debate that will extend over five days. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Cámara de España This seminar on internationalization promotes the establishment of a key event for managers and professionals in the foreign sector.

An agenda focused on strategic autonomy and competitiveness

The seminar program will address the urgency of the Unión Europea pivot towards critical sectors such as defense, energy, and artificial intelligenceExperts will analyze how to improve governance systems and EU regulations to ensure the resilience of the Single Market and the global reach of European companies. The eminently practical approach will combine academic reflection with the direct experience of internationalized institutions and companies, breaking down the operational implications of these changes for business.

The debates will seek to answer how geopolitical and technological transformations are forcing Europa to undertake profound changes to sustain and improve its economic and social model, a challenge that directly affects the internationalization strategy of Spanish companies.

A panel of top-level institutional and business experts

The seminar will feature a distinguished panel of speakers. Institutional figures participating include: José Vicente Morata, President of the Cámara de Comercio de Valencia; Julián ContheDirector General of Trade Policy and Security of Ministerio de Economía, Comercio y Empresa, and Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General of Innovation of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y UniversidadesThe closure will be carried out by Ángela Pérez, President and CEO of COFIDES.

The dialogue will be enriched by the insights of business and academic leaders, including Nerea Aranguren, vice president of the Corporación Mondragón; Pau Abelló, senior managing director of Roca Group; Tomás González, international vice president of Idom, and John Rutherford, director of Institutional Relations of BBVAThe economic analysis will come from Carlos Llano (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Enrique Feás (Banco Europeo de Inversiones), Francisco Requena (Universidad de Valencia), Beatriz de Guindos (ICEX), Juan de Lucio y Álvaro Anchuelo (Universidad de Alcalá).

The course is run by Rafael MyroProfessor Emeritus of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and Gonzalo Solana, Director of the Cátedra Nebrija Santander en Internacionalización de Empresas, with the academic secretariat of Raúl Mínguez, Director of Studies of the Cámara de Comercio de España.

Event Details	Key information
Event	Summer Course: "Spain in a new Europe"
Dates	From the 6 to the 10 of July of 2026
Place	Santander Campus of the Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP)
Organized by	Spanish Chamber of Commerce and UIMP
Key Topics	Strategic autonomy, defense, energy, AI, competitiveness, governance and resilience of the Single Market.

Key points and frequently asked questions about the future of the EU for Spanish companies

What are the implications of "strategic autonomy" for a Spanish exporter?

Strategic autonomy implies a reconfiguration of supply chains to reduce dependence on third countries in critical sectors. For a Spanish exporter, this can represent both a challenge and an opportunity: on the one hand, the need to diversify suppliers and adapt to new regulations ( nearshoring ); on the other, the possibility of positioning itself as a reliable partner within the European market in industries such as pharmaceuticals, technology, and energy components.

How will changes in defense and energy affect SMEs?

The boost to the European defense industry and the energy transition are opening up new market niches for SMEs. Those with advanced technological, engineering, or manufacturing capabilities will be able to access larger tenders and projects. However, they will also have to cope with rising energy costs and the requirement to comply with stricter sustainability (ESG) regulations to become part of the value chains of major contractors.

Why is this debate relevant to my company's global competitiveness?

Understanding the strategic direction that the Unión Europea It is fundamental for long-term planning. The decisions made in Bruselas Regulations, technical standards, trade policy, and geopolitical alliances will define the framework in which Spanish companies will compete globally. Anticipating these changes allows companies to adapt their business models, direct investment toward sectors with greater potential, and align their internationalization strategy with the bloc's priorities.