‘EU enlargement: How should the EU respond to aspiring new members - the case of Georgia and the “Associated Trio” countries’

On Friday 17 September, LINKS Europe, in association and with the support of The City of The Hague, hosted the first in a series of events titled ‘Conversations on the future of Europe in the world’, at its offices in The Hague. The series is in the framework of the EU’s ‘Conference on the Future of Europe’ process. After welcome remarks by the Director of LINKS Europe, Dr Dennis Sammut, and Mr Jesse van Velzen on behalf of the International Office of The City of The Hague, participants discussed the topic: EU enlargement: How should the EU respond to aspiring new members - the case of Georgia and the “Associated Trio” countries.

The conversation, moderated by Dennis Sammut, started with short presentations by Dr Maja Vodopivec, Assistant Professor at the University of Leiden; Giorgi Nakashidze, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Georgia in the Netherlands; and Tony van der Togt, Senior Research Associate at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague. In the second part of the conversation, those present – which included students, diplomats, and concerned and interested citizens of The Hague – expressed opinions on the topic under discussion. In all, 22 members of the audience aired their points of view in brief comments after the presentations of the panellists.

Read the full summary here [also in Dutch].

 

source: LINKS Europe

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

European Council President, Antonio Costa, Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, will travel to Beijing next week to participate in the EU-China summit on Thursday (24 July). The summit has already been cut from two days to one, reflecting an increasing realisation on both sides that the chance of making progress on many issues in the bilateral agenda is small. The summit on 24 July, coincides with the 50th anniversary of relations between China and the EU, and no doubt China will want to throw a party. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and prime minister, Li Qiange, are expected to participate in the summit. But the feeling in Brussels is that in the fifty years China had failed to create a level playing field. Whilst Chinese companies, academics and individuals had a free hand in the open European system across the continent, European companies struggled to exist , let alone compete, in China. In a key speech in 2023, van der Leyen spoke about the need of the EU to “de risk” its ties with China. But the issue that has really marred relations is Ukraine. China has failed to understand the significance of the situation in Ukraine for Europe. Chinese support for the Russian position diplomatically, as well as more tangibly, has cast a serious cloud over relations. This was seen clearly a few days ago in a four hour meeting in Brussels, between Kallas and Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, described as being “respectful, but tense”.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

A shortened EU-China summit on Thursday will be a test for both sides

European Council President, Antonio Costa, Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, will travel to Beijing next week to participate in the EU-China summit on Thursday (24 July). The summit has already been cut from two days to one, reflecting an increasing realisation on both sides that the chance of making progress on many issues in the bilateral agenda is small. The summit on 24 July, coincides with the 50th anniversary of relations between China and the EU, and no doubt China will want to throw a party. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and prime minister, Li Qiange, are expected to participate in the summit. But the feeling in Brussels is that in the fifty years China had failed to create a level playing field. Whilst Chinese companies, academics and individuals had a free hand in the open European system across the continent, European companies struggled to exist , let alone compete, in China. In a key speech in 2023, van der Leyen spoke about the need of the EU to “de risk” its ties with China. But the issue that has really marred relations is Ukraine. China has failed to understand the significance of the situation in Ukraine for Europe. Chinese support for the Russian position diplomatically, as well as more tangibly, has cast a serious cloud over relations. This was seen clearly a few days ago in a four hour meeting in Brussels, between Kallas and Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, described as being “respectful, but tense”.