Round tables

at Casa de Iberoamérica

A day of strategic dialogue on the key challenges shaping Europe and its global partnership.

DISCOVER MORE

Round tables

at Casa de Iberoamérica

A day of strategic dialogue on the key challenges shaping Europe and its global partnership.

DISCOVER MORE

Opening Ceremony

9:30h

José Juan Timermans

President of the Andalusian Youth Council & Young European Federalists (JEF) Andalusia

José Juan Timermans (Jerez de la Frontera, 1997) is a Public Affairs Consultant in the European department of LLYC and a leading voice in youth representation. He has served as President of the Youth Council of Andalusia since 2022 and currently presides over the Young European Federalists (JEF) in Andalusia.

He holds a degree in Law and International Relations from Universidad Loyola Andalucía, enriched by international academic stays at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and the University of Bologna (Italy). His professional trajectory includes roles at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) think-tank and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A recognized civic leader with a strong international focus, he served as President of the Mediterranean Youth Council (2021–2022) and was a member of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) Youth Panel (2021–2025). He was awarded the 2022 Andalucía Joven Award for Active Citizenship and selected for the Fundación Carolina’s Ibero-American Young Leaders Program in 2025.

Enric Millo

Secretary General for External Action, Regional Government of Andalusia

Enric Millo is Secretary General for External Action, European Union and Cooperation of the Government of Andalusia, a position he has held since 2019. He holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, specialising in Business Economics.

Between 2010 and 2016, he served as a Member of the Parliament of Catalonia for the People’s Party, where he was spokesperson on Economic and Budgetary Affairs. From 2016 to 2018, he served as Government Delegate of Spain in Catalonia. Previously, he was Territorial Delegate of the Catalan Government’s Department of Labour in Girona.

Since 2022, Millo has also been a Member of the European Committee of the Regions. He coordinates Andalusia’s internationalisation strategy and serves on the boards of Andalucía TRADE and the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation, among other institutional roles.

José Juan Timermans (Jerez de la Frontera, 1997) is a Public Affairs Consultant in the European department of LLYC and a leading voice in youth representation. He has served as President of the Youth Council of Andalusia since 2022 and currently presides over the Young European Federalists (JEF) in Andalusia.

He holds a degree in Law and International Relations from Universidad Loyola Andalucía, enriched by international academic stays at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and the University of Bologna (Italy). His professional trajectory includes roles at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) think-tank and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A recognized civic leader with a strong international focus, he served as President of the Mediterranean Youth Council (2021–2022) and was a member of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) Youth Panel (2021–2025). He was awarded the 2022 Andalucía Joven Award for Active Citizenship and selected for the Fundación Carolina’s Ibero-American Young Leaders Program in 2025.

Enric Millo is Secretary General for External Action, European Union and Cooperation of the Government of Andalusia, a position he has held since 2019. He holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, specialising in Business Economics.

Between 2010 and 2016, he served as a Member of the Parliament of Catalonia for the People’s Party, where he was spokesperson on Economic and Budgetary Affairs. From 2016 to 2018, he served as Government Delegate of Spain in Catalonia. Previously, he was Territorial Delegate of the Catalan Government’s Department of Labour in Girona.

Since 2022, Millo has also been a Member of the European Committee of the Regions. He coordinates Andalusia’s internationalisation strategy and serves on the boards of Andalucía TRADE and the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation, among other institutional roles.

Keynote Speech

Lukianov Volodymyr

Consul of Ukraine in Málaga

Volodymyr Serhiyovych Lukianov nació el 14 de agosto de 1980 en Kyiv, Ucrania. Es Máster en Relaciones Internacionales y traductor de español por el Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Nacional Taras Shevchenko de Kyiv (2002), y Doctor en Ciencias Económicas desde 2015. Ostenta el rango diplomático de Ministro Plenipotenciario de Segunda Clase, otorgado por Decreto del Presidente de Ucrania del 22 de diciembre de 2023.

Su trayectoria combina la política, la docencia y la diplomacia. Entre 2002 y 2013 trabajó como asesor adjunto de un diputado del Parlamento de Ucrania, con un paréntesis académico en 2009-2010 como profesor en la Academia Financiera y Económica de Feodosia. Entre 2013 y 2016 desarrolló una intensa labor universitaria en la Academia Nacional de Gestión, donde fue Profesor Asociado y llegó a dirigir el Departamento de Economía Internacional y Economía.

En 2016 se incorporó al Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de Ucrania, primero como asesor del Servicio de Patrocinio y, desde 2017, como Director Ejecutivo del Instituto Ucraniano. Entre 2018 y 2024 dirigió el Departamento de Gestión Financiera del Ministerio, y posteriormente se desempeñó como Embajador en Misión Especial del Departamento de Seguridad Internacional y Cooperación Técnico-Militar (2024-2025). Desde 2025 ejerce como Cónsul de Ucrania en Málaga, al frente de la Oficina Consular.

PANEL 1

10:00 AM - 11:10 AM

EU-Latin America relations:
Redefining a strategic alliance

CONTEXT

Amidst growing geopolitical fragmentation and a shifting global trade paradigm, this panel explored the imperative of securing the EU’s open strategic autonomy by elevating Latin America and the Caribbean —the world’s fourth-largest economy as a bloc— to a partner of choice. We examined how recent milestones—namely the EU-Mercosur Agreement and the Modernized Global Agreement with Mexico—acted as catalysts for indirect regional federalization. By leveraging the Brussels Effect to drive normative convergence and economic integration, this renewed transatlantic framework not only secured critical supply chains but also unlocked unprecedented opportunities both then and for the generations to come.

Speakers

Beatriz Ríos

JOURNALIST, INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT IN BRUSSELS OF EL PERIÓDICO

Beatriz Ríos holds a degree in Journalism from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s degree in International Relations, Conflict, Security and Peace from the Université libre de Bruxelles. She is a Brussels-based freelance journalist specialising in European Union politics, human rights, and geopolitical affairs. She currently works as a correspondent for El Periódico de Catalunya, El Mundo, Telemadrid, and the Euranet+ news agency. Throughout her career, she has also worked with internationally renowned media organisations including EURACTIV, Euronews, the BBC, and Sky News. In addition to her journalistic work, she has extensive experience moderating events for European public and private institutions.

Ángel Melguizo

CO-FOUNDER OF ARGIA GREEN, TECH & ECONOMICS AND FELLOW of the tide centre, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

Ángel Melguizo holds a PhD and a BA in Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid. He is an economist specialising in digital regulation, public policy, and sustainability. He is co-founder of ARGIA Green, Tech & Economics and a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. Previously, he served as Vice President for Public Affairs for Latin America at AT&T, Lead Economist at the OECD, and a specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank. He is currently a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue and regularly contributes to media outlets including El País, CNN, and Forbes.

Cristina Manzano

Director of External Relations at the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB)

Cristina Manzano holds a degree in Information Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland in the United States, which she completed as a Fulbright Scholar. She has extensive professional experience in international relations, global governance, and political analysis. For many years, she directed esglobal, a leading Spanish-language publication specialising in international affairs, and previously served as Deputy Director of the Foundation for International Relations and External Dialogue (FRIDE). She is currently Director of External Relations at the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) and is a member of the Spanish Council of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Scientific Committee of CIDOB, and the Spanish Chapter of the Club of Rome. She has also worked as an analyst and columnist for El País, El Periódico, and RTVE.

Érika Rodríguez Pinzón

Director of Fundación Carolina

Érika Rodríguez Pinzón holds a PhD in International Relations from the Autonomous University of Madrid, a degree in Sociology from the National University of Colombia, and a Diploma in Law and Political Science from the Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies (CEPC). She is an expert in development cooperation, Latin American politics, and public diplomacy, with more than 20 years of professional experience. She is currently Director of Fundación Carolina and a lecturer in the Department of Applied Sociology at the Complutense University of Madrid. Previously, she served as Special Adviser to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Coordinator for Latin America at Fundación Alternativas, and consultant to numerous multilateral organisations. She has also been recognised in the Top 100 Women Leaders in Spain ranking.

Beatriz Ríos holds a degree in Journalism from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s degree in International Relations, Conflict, Security and Peace from the Université libre de Bruxelles. She is a Brussels-based freelance journalist specialising in European Union politics, human rights, and geopolitical affairs. She currently works as a correspondent for El Periódico de Catalunya, El Mundo, Telemadrid, and the Euranet+ news agency. Throughout her career, she has also worked with internationally renowned media organisations including EURACTIV, Euronews, the BBC, and Sky News. In addition to her journalistic work, she has extensive experience moderating events for European public and private institutions.

Ángel Melguizo holds a PhD and a BA in Economics from the Complutense University of Madrid. He is an economist specialising in digital regulation, public policy, and sustainability. He is co-founder of ARGIA Green, Tech & Economics and a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. Previously, he served as Vice President for Public Affairs for Latin America at AT&T, Lead Economist at the OECD, and a specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank. He is currently a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue and regularly contributes to media outlets including El País, CNN, and Forbes.

Cristina Manzano holds a degree in Information Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland in the United States, which she completed as a Fulbright Scholar. She has extensive professional experience in international relations, global governance, and political analysis. For many years, she directed esglobal, a leading Spanish-language publication specialising in international affairs, and previously served as Deputy Director of the Foundation for International Relations and External Dialogue (FRIDE). She is currently Director of External Relations at the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) and is a member of the Spanish Council of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Scientific Committee of CIDOB, and the Spanish Chapter of the Club of Rome. She has also worked as an analyst and columnist for El País, El Periódico, and RTVE.

Érika Rodríguez Pinzón holds a PhD in International Relations from the Autonomous University of Madrid, a degree in Sociology from the National University of Colombia, and a Diploma in Law and Political Science from the Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies (CEPC). She is an expert in development cooperation, Latin American politics, and public diplomacy, with more than 20 years of professional experience. She is currently Director of Fundación Carolina and a lecturer in the Department of Applied Sociology at the Complutense University of Madrid. Previously, she served as Special Adviser to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Coordinator for Latin America at Fundación Alternativas, and consultant to numerous multilateral organisations. She has also been recognised in the Top 100 Women Leaders in Spain ranking.

PANEL 2

11:25 AM - 12:35 PM

Towards a Wider Union:
The challenges of Eastern enlargement

CONTEXT

Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine had elevated EU enlargement from a conditional bureaucratic procedure to an existential geostrategic imperative. This roundtable tackled the structural dilemma of preparing the Union for a 30+ membership. Rather than viewing enlargement as a burden, we discussed how to successfully integrate new members. Furthermore, the debate shifted to the generational dimension. We evaluated the urgency of deploying progressive integration frameworks in the meantime to provide a tangible European horizon of security and dignity for the youth of candidate countries—who were currently defending European values on the front lines—while their full and merit-based accession was swiftly finalised.

Speakers

Nacho Alarcón

Journalist, Brussels correspondent for El Confidencial

Nacho Alarcón holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Seville and specialises in political and international journalism, with a particular focus on European affairs. Based in Brussels, he is the Brussels Correspondent for El Confidencial, covering the activities of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament, as well as NATO. He is also co-author of the specialised newsletter Europa Prime and regularly contributes as a commentator on European geopolitics and transatlantic relations across a range of media outlets and public policy forums.

Marycruz Arcos Vargas

Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Seville

Marycruz Arcos Vargas holds a PhD in Law and a Law degree from the University of Seville, specialising in European Union law, external action, and international relations. She is an academic and researcher at the Department of Public International Law at the University of Seville. She previously served as Director of the European Documentation Centre at the University of Seville, where she promoted research, outreach, and academic debate on European integration. She has led numerous research projects and published extensively on EU external action, multilevel diplomacy, and fundamental rights. She also regularly collaborates with European and Ibero-American academic networks and participates as a speaker in forums addressing the future of Europe.

Pablo Rupérez

Diplomat and Economist | Former Chief of Staff to the Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union

Pablo Rupérez holds degrees in Law and Business Administration and Economics from Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE) and joined the Spanish Diplomatic Service in 2007. He has built an extensive professional career focused on international relations, European affairs, and European Union policy. He previously served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for the European Union at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, where he played an active role in coordinating and shaping Spain’s European policy. Throughout his diplomatic career, he has held senior positions in Spanish embassies and diplomatic missions abroad, as well as within the Ministry’s central services, developing particular expertise in international economics and public diplomacy.

Tiago Antunes

Former Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and Associate Policy Fellow at the ECFR

Tiago Antunes holds a PhD and a Law degree from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, where he also teaches Public Law and European Union Law. He has held several senior positions within the Portuguese Government, including Secretary of State for European Affairs and Deputy Secretary of State to the Prime Minister. With extensive parliamentary and governmental experience, he has participated directly in negotiations on some of the European Union’s most important strategic dossiers. He is currently an Associate Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and works as a consultant, combining geopolitical and public policy analysis with academic teaching.

Nacho Alarcón holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Seville and specialises in political and international journalism, with a particular focus on European affairs. Based in Brussels, he is the Brussels Correspondent for El Confidencial, covering the activities of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament, as well as NATO. He is also co-author of the specialised newsletter Europa Prime and regularly contributes as a commentator on European geopolitics and transatlantic relations across a range of media outlets and public policy forums.

Marycruz Arcos Vargas holds a PhD in Law and a Law degree from the University of Seville, specialising in European Union law, external action, and international relations. She is an academic and researcher at the Department of Public International Law at the University of Seville. She previously served as Director of the European Documentation Centre at the University of Seville, where she promoted research, outreach, and academic debate on European integration. She has led numerous research projects and published extensively on EU external action, multilevel diplomacy, and fundamental rights. She also regularly collaborates with European and Ibero-American academic networks and participates as a speaker in forums addressing the future of Europe.

Pablo Rupérez holds degrees in Law and Business Administration and Economics from Comillas Pontifical University (ICADE) and joined the Spanish Diplomatic Service in 2007. He has built an extensive professional career focused on international relations, European affairs, and European Union policy. He previously served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for the European Union at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, where he played an active role in coordinating and shaping Spain’s European policy. Throughout his diplomatic career, he has held senior positions in Spanish embassies and diplomatic missions abroad, as well as within the Ministry’s central services, developing particular expertise in international economics and public diplomacy.

Tiago Antunes holds a PhD and a Law degree from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, where he also teaches Public Law and European Union Law. He has held several senior positions within the Portuguese Government, including Secretary of State for European Affairs and Deputy Secretary of State to the Prime Minister. With extensive parliamentary and governmental experience, he has participated directly in negotiations on some of the European Union’s most important strategic dossiers. He is currently an Associate Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and works as a consultant, combining geopolitical and public policy analysis with academic teaching.

PANEL 3

12:35 PM - 1:45 PM

Bre-six and its consequences:
6 Years from Brexit and the Southern Horizon

CONTEXT

Six years after Brexit, we analysed the aftermath of this new relationship, marked by political volatility in Westminster and the need for security cooperation. From the unique vantage point of Cádiz, we grounded this debate in the EU-UK Treaty regarding Gibraltar, evaluating it as a cutting-edge laboratory for external border management to safeguard shared prosperity in the Strait of Gibraltar, a location of key geostrategic relevance for Europe.

Speakers

Alfonso Dastis

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain | Former Ambassador of Spain to the European Union

Alfonso Dastis holds a Law degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and joined the Spanish Diplomatic Service in 1983. He is a career diplomat with extensive experience in European affairs and multilateral diplomacy. He served as Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2016 to 2018 and as Spain’s Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels from 2011 to 2016. Throughout his diplomatic career, he has also served as Ambassador of Spain to the Netherlands, Italy, and Hungary, as well as holding key positions including Secretary General for European Affairs, Executive Adviser in the Minister’s Cabinet, and Counsellor at Spain’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Jesús Verdú

Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Cádiz

Jesús Verdú holds a PhD in Law from the University of Cádiz and a Law degree from the University of Seville. He is an expert in international law, the governance of maritime spaces, and cross-border relations, and currently serves as Associate Professor at the University of Cádiz. He has also served as Director of the Algeciras Campus of the Faculty of Law and is a researcher at the Centre for International and European Studies of the Strait Area (CINTERGIB) and a member of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at the University of Cádiz. His extensive academic work focuses on the implications of Brexit, security in the Strait of Gibraltar, marine environmental protection, and Spanish–Moroccan cooperation.

María del Pilar Rangel Rojas

Professor of Public International Law and European Union Law at the University of Málaga

María del Pilar Rangel Rojas holds a PhD in Law and a Law degree from the University of Málaga, with advanced specialisation in European Union Law and International Security. She is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Political Science, Public International Law, and Procedural Law at the University of Málaga. Her research focuses on geopolitics, international terrorism, the management of migration and refugee crises, and the institutional role of the European Union on the global stage. She also regularly contributes to strategic analysis networks and participates as a speaker in academic conferences and seminars on international relations and EU law.

Alfonso Dastis holds a Law degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and joined the Spanish Diplomatic Service in 1983. He is a career diplomat with extensive experience in European affairs and multilateral diplomacy. He served as Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2016 to 2018 and as Spain’s Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels from 2011 to 2016. Throughout his diplomatic career, he has also served as Ambassador of Spain to the Netherlands, Italy, and Hungary, as well as holding key positions including Secretary General for European Affairs, Executive Adviser in the Minister’s Cabinet, and Counsellor at Spain’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Jesús Verdú holds a PhD in Law from the University of Cádiz and a Law degree from the University of Seville. He is an expert in international law, the governance of maritime spaces, and cross-border relations, and currently serves as Associate Professor at the University of Cádiz. He has also served as Director of the Algeciras Campus of the Faculty of Law and is a researcher at the Centre for International and European Studies of the Strait Area (CINTERGIB) and a member of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at the University of Cádiz. His extensive academic work focuses on the implications of Brexit, security in the Strait of Gibraltar, marine environmental protection, and Spanish–Moroccan cooperation.

María del Pilar Rangel Rojas holds a PhD in Law and a Law degree from the University of Málaga, with advanced specialisation in European Union Law and International Security. She is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Political Science, Public International Law, and Procedural Law at the University of Málaga. Her research focuses on geopolitics, international terrorism, the management of migration and refugee crises, and the institutional role of the European Union on the global stage. She also regularly contributes to strategic analysis networks and participates as a speaker in academic conferences and seminars on international relations and EU law.

Closing Ceremony

Álvaro Imbernón

Director at the Strategy and Foresight Unit of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Álvaro Imbernón Sáinz is a Spanish international relations expert, political analyst, and professor. He currently serves as the Director of the Strategy and Foresight Division at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, where he plays a key role in drafting Spain’s Foreign Action Strategy. In the academic sphere, he is an Associate Professor of International Relations and EU Studies at Nebrija University in Madrid. Throughout his career, Imbernón has built a strong background in geopolitical research and strategy. He has worked as a researcher for various prominent think tanks and organizations, including ESADEgeo, Quantio, and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). 

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Round tables at
Casa de Iberoamérica

A day of strategic dialogue on the key challenges shaping Europe and its global partnerships

DISCOVER MORE
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