European Policy Centre

💥 LATEST PUBLICATION | Next Commissioner for Enlargement: Which criteria should inform the selection? Berta López Domènech argues in her policy brief that enlargement will be one of the most politically heavy dossiers in the upcoming politico-institutional cycle. Therefore, the choice of the European Commissioner in charge of this dossier is of utmost importance. The Paper argues that without this combination of credentials, it is difficult to imagine how the next Commissioner for Enlargement will translate into practice the member states’ current discourse about the geopolitical imperative of delivering a wider and more secure Union of 30+ countries. Read the brief here 👇 https://buff.ly/4cJDCDt

📰 NEW PUBLICATION | The new European solidarity mechanism: Towards a fair sharing of responsibility between member states? By Philippe de Bruycker. Do the reforms to the Dublin system in the new Pact on Migration strike the right balance? In partnership with FEPS and the Friedich Eebert Stiftung Read it here!

⚡ NEW PUBLICATION | Modi’s visit to Ukraine – A minor adjustment rather than a major shift? Ivano di Carlo and Amanda Paul take a closer look into India’s repeated abstentions from voting on UN resolutions which would condemn Russia’s illegal invasion. Since then, it has led to widespread criticism and concerns from several Western countries. 'While this stance has frustrated its Western partners, they have largely tolerated it, worried about pushing India closer to Moscow or jeopardising their relationship with a country that is becoming increasingly influential in economic, security, and global affairs. To navigate the complexity of India’s ‘strategic neutrality’, the US and Europe have also exercised a degree of ‘strategic patience’ in response to their geopolitical priorities. For example, India’s role in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy is essential in balancing China’s growing regional influence.' Read the commentary here👇

⏳ SAVE THE DATE | Greening the EU’s agri-food agenda: What is the role for digitalisation? Join Dr Joelle Herforth-Rahme, senior scientist at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Olivier de Matos, director general at CropLife and Sébastien Pérel, policy advisor, for the European Council of Young Farmers in this policy dialogue moderated by EPC's Head of Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme, Stefan Sipka. The current climate change and ecological crises highlight the need to make our food systems more sustainable and resilient and reduce their impact on land and resources. Data and digital solutions have great potential to green the entire agri-food supply chain. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, robots, sensors, blockchain, apps, and online platforms could revolutionise the agri-food sector. They could help reduce its environmental footprint, optimise operations, boost food productivity, promote sustainable diets, reduce food waste, and enhance the EU’s food security. While digital solutions are already in use to some extent, utilising their full capacity to align EU’s green and agri-food agendas is still work in progress. Register today in the link below 👇 https://buff.ly/4d7thCn

⚡ LATEST PUBLICATION | Navigating the heat of crisis: A critical year for Europe? ' While Europe’s new medium-term defence programs are aimed at being prepared by the end of this three-year time window, Europeans must also be ready to navigate a potentially perilous next 12 months. The first pivotal event is the November US presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Either scenario might leave Europe in a difficult position. If Trump wins, both he and vice-presidential candidate JD Vance have stated they will cut off US aid to Ukraine, leaving Europe holding the bag. They’ve also indicated they may not honour NATO’s Article 5 if a European ally is attacked, potentially leaving Europe to fend for itself if Russia decides to attack. qIf Harris wins but her Democratic party does not win control of the US Congress, Republicans could further block, delay, or disrupt aid to Ukraine, leading to the same outcome. ' Read EPC's Chris Kremidas-Courtney's commentary here 👇

💥 NEW PUBLICATION | Next Commissioner for Enlargement: Which criteria should inform the selection? Berta López Domènech argues in her policy brief that with war raging on European soil, the European Union (EU) needs competent leadership – ready and willing to tackle head-on the polycrisis and polytransition confronting the Union and its member states. Enlargement will be one of the most politically heavy dossiers in the upcoming politico-institutional cycle. Therefore, the choice of the European Commissioner in charge of this dossier is of utmost importance. This Policy Brief examines what the candidate needs to possess for the role: 🎯 Commitment to EU democratic values. 🎯 Support for enlargement. 🎯 Capacity to forge consensus among member states and candidates. 🎯 Trustworthiness in the eyes of all relevant stakeholders Read the brief here👇 https://buff.ly/4cJDCDt

⏳ SAVE THE DATE | The future of EU democracy in a new institutional cycle Join Andrey Demido, Project Manager at Bertelsmann Stiftung, Corina Stratulat, Associate Director & Head of the European Politics and Institutions Programme at the EPC and Oliver Röpke President of European Economic and Social Committee online on September 4th for a discussion on EU democracy in the next institutional cycle. The EU is embarking on a new political and institutional cycle. Reforming EU democracy and enhancing citizen participation will remain a priority on the EU political agenda during this new mandate, as emphasised in the European Council’s Strategic Agenda and the political guidelines of Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen. The European Economic and Social Committee in its current mandate also commits to making "a more resilient, more inclusive, and more democratic EU" its central objective. This is the seventh online event of the EU Democracy Reform Observatory’s “Democracy Reform Conversations”. The EU Democracy Reform Observatory is a joint initiative of Bertelsmann Stiftung, European Policy Centre, King Baudouin Foundation, and Stiftung Mercator, aiming to foster debate on modernising European democracy. Register here 👇 https://buff.ly/3yMrVhr

⚡ NEW PUBLICATION | Navigating the heat of crisis: A critical year for Europe? As August fades into September, historians and experts remain watchful since so many crises have begun in the heat of a waning Summer. These include the First World War, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, and the 2007 credit crunch. Whether such events await us in the coming days remains unlikely but the same cannot be said of the coming 12 months. The question is, will Europe be ready? The new European Commission is starting to emerge, and new officials are being nominated as “appointments season” consumes the attention of EU leaders. At the same time, Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine grinds on while its hybrid attacks against Europe are picking up pace. Read EPC's Chris Kremidas-Courtney's commentary here 👇 https://buff.ly/3z5xZBC

🚨 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 👇

💫 NEW PUBLICATION | Modi’s visit to Ukraine – A minor adjustment rather than a major shift? Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Ukraine was as much about restoring his image in the West as promoting peace, dialogue, and improving ties with Kyiv. While a new chapter in India-Ukraine relations may have opened, Russia will remain a crucial, time-tested ally for New Delhi. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, India’s national interests have dictated what New Delhi claims to be a neutral position. It has carefully balanced its relationship with Russia - a crucial energy and arms supplier – recognising that alienating Moscow could harm its security vis-à-vis China and Pakistan, while also maintaining good relations with its partners in the West as part of India’s ‘multi-aligned’ foreign policy. This sees India participate in various global and regional formats – including BRICS, the SCO, and the Quad - as a way to enhance New Delhi’s security, regional and global footprint. Read Ivano di Carlo and Amanda Paul's commentary here 👇