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Opening Panel: State Building and European Integration – Mutually Reinforcing or Contradicting Processes?

Opening Panel: State Building and European Integration – Mutually Reinforcing or Contradicting Processes?

(in partnership with the Slovak Atlantic Commission)

Discussion topics:

  • The new format for EU accession negotiations is recognized as fundamentally a state building process. How does this correspond with the necessity of delegating part of national sovereignty to EU institutions?
  • Are strong states a precondition for or a challenge to regional cooperation?
  • As partners in providing stability and security in the Western Balkans, all governments of the region are also responsible for a broader role in contributing to the European Common Security and Defense Policy. Does this encourage the EU and its member states to pay more attention to enlargement?
  • The centennial of the beginning of WWI in 2014 is of symbolic relevance for Europe and coincides with elections to the European Parliament. What might be the relevance of 2014 for EU enlargement?

Speakers:

Branko Ružić‚ Minister without portfolio responsible for European integration, Government of the Republic of Serbia

Miroslav Lajčák‚ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

Julian Braithwaite‚ Ambassador, UK Representative to the EU Political and Security Committee

Tim Judah‚ Balkans Correspondent, The Economist (Chair)