Enlargement of EU, Schengen Area & European Elections
5 June 2024 – 18h30 @ Foyer European, Luxembourg
In his latest book “Last Train West”, Mr. Jochen Richter brings up the lessons learned 17 years after Romania’s accession to the EU. The starting point of the book was the question of enlargement and integration, which will be key for future enlargements. This subject has become highly topical again, following Russia’s hybrid wars, its war of aggression against Ukraine and the rekindled dispute over the meaning of “spheres of influence” in the 21st century. Discussing the respective roles of NATO and the EU, this book contains important messages about the difficult and potentially game-changing trade-off between quick, decisive action and the need for thorough preparation. Romania caught ‘the last train’ but perhaps a new direction of travel is needed.
This event aims at bring an open panel of discussion in a relaxed informal atmosphere and touching upon some of the following questions ahead of the European Elections:
• Have we taken stock of previous enlargements? What is the state of readiness of both the EU and a candidate to EU accession in today’s context (Western Balkans, lessons of Brexit, Russia’s war against Ukraine)?
• The balance between the Copenhagen criteria (rule of law and economic development), EU security needsand building stronger EU Institutions. Where should efforts be made to transpose EU treaties?
• What are the critical success factors for future enlargements? Are “concentric circles” (“Europe à géométrie variable”) and “gradual enlargement” the way forward?
• The meaning of Schengen for Romania
• Romania as a trailblazer for the Republic of Moldova?
• European Elections – what’s in it for the European citizen?
Panelists:
• H.E. Livia Rusu – Ambassador of Romania in Luxembourg
• Mrs. Anne Calteux – Representative of the European Commission in Luxembourg
• Mr. Jochen Richter – author of the book & Chairman of the Global Security Forum in the Diplomatic Council
• Ms. Erna Hennicot Schoepges – Vice-president of the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy
• Prof. Robert Harmsen – Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg
Moderator Mr Duncan Roberts (Luxembourg Times)
Agenda
18h30 Welcome & registration of guests
19h00 Welcome Words: Mr. Razvan-Petru Radu – RomLux President
19h05 Keynote & Presentation of the book by the author Mr. Jochen Richter
19h15 Presentation of the panelists by Mr Duncan Roberts (Luxembourg Times)
19h20-20h10 Panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Mr Duncan Roberts (Luxembourg Times)
20h10 Networking cocktail and free discussion
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About the author of the book: Jochen Richter Former Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Leonard Orban, Mr Richter led several strategic services in the European Commission and the European Parliament between 1990 and 2020. He is currently lecturer to University of Luxembourg and University of Dusseldorf on European policies topics and a Fellow of the Robert Schuman Institute. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jochenr/ Last Train West: https://www.nomos-shop.de/tectum/titel/last-train-west-id-108004/ Recent Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8yvwAK2fzc |
The open panel will be followed by a networking cocktail.
