EUROsimA - METU’s Post

Summer 2024 has taken leave of us. In Singapore, it looks like the media have not returned from vacation. On this very hot and humid Sunday, I take time to follow the rumbling sounds of distant thunder portending to an unfolding chapter of the EU, awaken strongly and successfully by her neighbor. Madame President, may the force be with the new European Commission. * At the GLOBESEC 2024 award end Aug 2024 https://lnkd.in/gvhz3DZd "The story of our transatlantic partnership is built on personal connections and family ties, but it thrives because of the values we share." "Time and again, Europe and America have stood at each other’s side, on the right side of history and this must not change whoever sits in the oval office in January next year. But to preserve our partnership, some things have to change. We do not live in the post-World War era any more when Europe was on its knees. . . Europe has to contribute more fully to Transatlantic security and prosperity. This is in our mutual interest. . .We share an interest in building a integrated transatlantic economy with resilient value chains that stretch out from both sides of the Atlantic." * Several days later at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia https://lnkd.in/g2pn_uP4 "Russia has chosen to burn its bridges with its European neighbors by invading a peaceful country. . . . whenever there is progress towards reconciliation and regional integration in the western Balkans, the Kremlin tries to stir up old conflicts. Russia is constantly at work to sow division inside the western Balkans, and between the western Balkans and the rest of Europe. But ladies and gentlemen, the vast majority of the people of the western Balkans do not want fragmentation They want integration and that’s what we must deliver for them." "Let’s be very clear. Russia’s full fledged war in Ukraine is for Europe a turning point like 1989. . . if making Europe economically competitive and capable of defending itself, if this is our fundamental objective, then I see the western Balkans’ integration in the EU as critically important. * And on 17th Sep https://lnkd.in/gXzgSDay a vast and ambitious portfolio meshed into a fresh line up of College of Commissioners. . .

📹SAIIA’s Chief Executive Elizabeth Sidiropoulos delivered a keynote address at the FIIA Forum 2024 organised by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs - FIIA. This year’s edition delved deep into the lessons learned and challenges ahead for the European Union in a year of change. In case you missed it, a recording of the event is available ⤵ #InternationalRelations #YearofChange #EU #GlobalPolitics #FIIAForum2024

🚨 With EUrope facing a multitude of crisis, the next political-institutional cycle ought to consider strong and firm strategic priorities. Fabian Zuleeg and Janis Emmanouildis lay out priorities, one being a higher degree of coordinated executive action at the EU level, whereby the relationship between member states and EU institutions would need to be further emphasised. Read it here 👇

30 years of Sweden in the EU: A powerful partnership that has strengthened European values like democracy, equality, and social inclusion. Sweden’s active role has enriched EU policies, fostered economic growth, championed sustainability, and enhanced mobility for its citizens. Sweden continues to shape a united and prosperous Europe. "A small country such as Sweden, with an open and trade-dependent economy, understands the importance of the EU." mentioned PM Ulf Kristersson in his Statement of Government EU Policy in the Swedish Parliament earlier. Tune in to www.economicdiplocay.in Economic Diplomacy https://lnkd.in/gMBSizBN #Sweden #EU #EuropeanUnion #EconomicGrowth #Sustainability #Leadership #EUMembership #EuropeanValues #EnvironmentalProtection #SwedishInnovation Sveriges riksdag Regeringskansliet, Utrikesdepartementet Regeringskansliet Sweden In India Business Sweden Asia-Pacific Swedish Chamber of Commerce India Embassy of India Stockholm Sweden in Mumbai Delegation of the European Union to India European Union

My 5 key messages from the excellent The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) #Strategic_Ark conference in #Warsaw. 1. #Germany is being left behind & risks becoming irrelevant to the European security debate - & the debate on Europe’s future. Frustration with 🇩🇪from US & UK as well as PL & CEE experts & policy shapers was manifest. Economic size alone won’t keep DE relevant - & Berlin needs to act to stem increasing discontent. OTOH Allies need to communicate more clearly to Berlin - stop sugarcoating it! 2. Some allies are actively (& IMO misguidedly) opposed to or mitigating against Germany standing up to be counted - but not US, UK, PL, CEE & Balts which would welcome a clear commitment & stronger contribution to European security & Ukrainian victory. Germans should not use the cyncical & self-serving objections of some as an excuse not to stand up. European security is best served by a strong Germany acting as a #TeamPower. Nonetheless, coalitions of the willing (think CZ ammo Initiative) driving forward, should be welcomed not hindered or resented. 3. Clear analysis of our current challenges is not being translated into clear action - as well as Germany, UK, France & US all also need to do more. But these countries’ leaders are not yet making the case to our people to do so - and nor are they being honest about the danger we are in. European slacking & capability lack is matched by historically low US defence spending percentages & troop numbers. 4. For this to be addressed, many free societies’ governments need new arguments to enact the massively increased and sustainable defence spending we require to win in Ukraine, secure ourselves & win the systemic competition. Defence has to be embedded in arguments about economic, social, ecological & technological progress- how to make it and how to better share it - not delusions that everything in our societies is fine. 5. European democracies need a clear, communicable shared vision for the world & the Europe we want to shape & a comprehensive strategy to achieve it. We need this to guide complementary, not contradictory, policy across different fields and thus create a coherent approach to aligning our security and our prosperity. We have a lot of work ahead - and the second best time to start is now.

A vision for Europe and the EU.

This is a fantastic Christmas present for the European R&I community👏🎄 The #EU and #Switzerland have reached an agreement on Swiss association to EU programmes. Parts of the current deal are: ➡️ From 2025: Swiss participation in #HorizonEurope(except for strategic areas such as quantum and space) and in #Euratom and #DigitalEurope and #EU4Health programmes. ➡️ From 2026: Swiss participation in #ITER ➡️ Possibly from 2027: Swiss association to #Erasmus+ The European R&I community has been calling for this outcome since 2021 so let's celebrate this fantastic achievement! 🎉 The #SticktoScience campaign will continue to pursue this goal beyond 2025 in order to secure Switzerland's association with EU programmes in the long term as: ➡️ The agreement still need to be ratified.  ➡️ It is important to show that this is a win-win situation for Europe in the current geopolitical context. ➡️ The association of #Switzerland has to be secured for #FP10 #SwissEU4Science #StrongerTogether

16th European Economic Congress opened in great style with great speakers and important words: -Europe is built through crises and can respond to them- Jerzy Buzek -Safe heaven above Europe, safe borders of EU, safe and competitive market prioritizing European business-these were priorities pointed by Donald Tusk -Poland is back and leading- by Ursula von der Leyen They all reflected on the historic events leading Poland to 2024 when we celebrate 20th anniversary of being in EU. Poland is essential for Europe and Europe is also essential for Poland- that’s the conclusion. This was just the morning and now looking forward to all discussions in various streams! #ekg #eec2024 #absl #poland

Questions about Europe Day and EU foundation ? Read the answers in the following article : What is Europe Day and what does it represent?

Today, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the CoR, at the plenary session of the European Summit of Regions and Cities on the 'vision of regions and cities for the future of Europe', the Mons Declaration was adopted – a declaration that sets out the vision of regions and cities for the future of Europe and reaffirms the commitment to delivering a stronger, fairer and more resilient Europe.   https://lnkd.in/ezUYqv3Z "Regions and cities must be heard when the next Strategic Agenda of the European Union, as well as the next political priorities of the European Commission, are being formulated. We call on European leaders to do more to ensure that all EU policies are anchored in the local and regional level, thus reinforcing the democratic legitimacy and efficiency of these policies. We must work together at all levels, where a real difference can be made, be it at European Union, national, regional or local levels. Together, regions and cities have the power to deliver a stronger, fairer and more resilient Europe."   #eulocal #SommetMons24 #EU2024BE   European Committee of the Regions Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024 Wallonie Bruxelles International Permanent Representation of Belgium to the European Union