Reclaiming Europe: Scripting Values, Interests & Propositions for the 21st Century

Much is heard about ‘European values’, but the rest of the world is often uncertain about what is meant by the phrase. The actual wishes of Europeans, as expressed through the exercise of their democratic rights, suggest these values are a kaleidoscope rather than a consensus. The question of whether European values and identity emerge from a Christian essence that predates the 21st century, or if they evolve from and with a modern and integrated world, is unanswered. As Europe faces pressing issues like migration and climate change, a further open issue is whether it would be more pragmatic for the EU to clearly define its interests and negotiate with global partners based on material realities rather than to promote an idealised set of values.

• How can the EU reconcile its ambiguous pronouncements on values with its more discernible interests? And does the collective have the necessary consensus and will to do so?
• How is Europe planning to address the challenge of ageing demographics while simultaneously grappling with rising political discontent surrounding migration?
• How does conflict on Europe's periphery influence its role as a security actor? Is Europe becoming increasingly reliant on Washington, or is it solidifying its own security capabilities?
• How can Europe position itself as a cohesive 21st-century bloc when it lacks a unified fiscal, energy, telecommunications, and defence framework—sectors that are pivotal in defining contemporary power?
• Can the Maastricht Treaty be repackaged for the modern day?

Moderator

Balázs Tárnok, Research Director, John Lukacs Institute for Strategy and Politics, Hungary

Initiators:

Jovana Marović, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs,  Government of Montenegro

Ana Miguel dos Santos, Former member of European Parliament

Janusz Kowalski, Member of Parliament, Poland

István Kiss, Executive Director, Danube Institute, Hungary

Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, Applied Policy Research Institute, Armenia

Discussants:

András Stefanovszky, Head of Department, Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister; Office of the Prime Minister’s 

Political Director, Department for International Analysis, Hungary 

Vasif Huseynov, Head of Department, Center of Analysis of International Relations, Azerbaijan

Kanchan Gupta, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India

Liliana Śmiech, Director General for International Affairs, Ludovika University of Public Service, Hungary