Speakers

Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council; President, European Policy Centre
Danuta Hubner, Member of the european Parliament
Brigid Laffan, Director, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies European University Institute
Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King's College London
Heather Grabbe, Director, Open Society European Policy Institute
Daniela Schwarzer, Director, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Loukas Tsoukalis, President, Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive, European Policy Centre
Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Director of Studies, European Policy Centre
Jacki Davis, MAEDE Communications (Moderator)
 
Since the European elections in May, EU institutions have taken significant steps in preparing for the new five-year cycle. The European Council has set out its Strategic Agenda 2019-2024 and the European Commission President-elect has presented her political priorities. However, the process has not been a smooth one. Despite some controversy, the European Council managed to (s)elect the Union’s new leadership and the new European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen in July. But since then, the Parliament has rejected three designated Commissioners, which has led to a delay in the new Commission taking up office. At the same time, Brexit continues to absorb time and much political attention at the expense of necessary progress on other pressing challenges. The EU cannot afford to stall – by continuing to muddle through, we run the risk of losing relevance in the global context and in the eyes of citizens.
 
This high-level conference will debate some of the key issues and priorities for the EU and its member states in the upcoming years. In the course of two panel debates, leading experts will discuss the state of play and next steps in the Brexit process, as well as the recent developments at the start of the new politico-institutional cycle and the way forward, especially with respect to the Union’s ability to actually deliver on the strategic priorities set by EU institutions. EPC President Herman Van Rompuy will open the conference with a speech on the state of play and perspectives for the EU after the European elections. The event will be moderated by Jacki Davis. In a final keynote address Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Roberto Gualtieri will evaluate the economic challenge for the EU, including the reform of the Eurozone.

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