This panel discussion held at the ALDE Congress 2022 will bring liberal experts from both within and outside of the EU to address enlargement and the EU integration a solution to the current stalemate.
Over the years, the impetus for the EU Enlargement has been gradually losing momentum. With the EU fatigue on the issue, the lack of reforms in the Western Balkans, and the absence of a clear membership perspective for the aspiring Eastern Partnership countries, the question of the enlargement has almost disappeared from the EU agenda. However, in the changing geopolitical reality, with an increasing threat of authoritarianism and military aggression, the EU Enlargement in these strategic regions seems the only viable way to guarantee peace and security on the continent.
To suggest a liberal response to the strategic challenge of renewing the EU Enlargement, ELF has initiated an international expert Working Group on staged integration. Consisting of both academics and practitioners from all over Europe, the Group has debated the idea of “countries acceding to only certain sectors of the Union, pending full membership”. Fully elaborated and put on the policymaking agenda, this approach can arguably open up new, more adequate and better functioning ways of progressively integrating the EU neighbours into the bloc.
The panel discussion hosted by ELF will bring together liberal experts from both within and outside of the EU. They will discuss the geopolitical rationale of the renewed EU Enlargement and the potential of staged EU integration as a liberal solution to the current stalemate in this regard.
09:30 ELF Welcome & introductory remarks
Daniel Kaddik, Executive Director, European Liberal Forum
09:35 Moderated expert discussion
Speakers:
Moderator:
Emil Kirjas, Vice President, Liberal Institute Skopje
10:15 Q&A
10:25 Closing remarks