THE STATE OF EUROPE. Addressing Europe s Crises: Policy Crossroads. Winter Media partner

Transcription

1 THE STATE OF EUROPE Addressing Europe s Crises: Policy Crossroads Winter 2015 Co-organised by With the support of Media partner

2 Friends of Europe is a leading think-tank that aims to stimulate thinking on key global and European political challenges. We are a key player in 6 policy areas: Future Europe Smarter Europe Greener Europe Quality Europe Global Europe Security Europe Some of the familiar faces and household names who have used Friends of Europe s high-profile yet neutral platform to put across their ideas to decision makers and to public opinion For more information on Friends of Europe s work and to download our publications, please visit friendsofeurope friendsofeurope friendsofeurope.foe friendsofeurope

3 THE STATE OF EUROPE Addressing Europe s Crises: Policy Crossroads Report of the high-level roundtable co-organised by Friends of Europe and the European Commission with the support of European Investment Bank, Google, Huawei, John S Latsis Foundation and McKinsey Sanofi Pasteur MSD with media partner Debating Europe and Europe s World Winter 2015 Brussels

4 This report reflects the conference rapporteur s understanding of the views expressed by participants. Moreover, these views are not necessarily those of the organisations that participants represent, nor of Friends of Europe, its Board of Trustees, members or partners. Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted, provided that full credit is given to Friends of Europe and that any such reproduction, whether in whole or in part, is not sold unless incorporated in other works. Rapporteurs: Paul Ames, Sebastian Moffett Publisher: Geert Cami Director: Nathalie Furrer Programme Managers: Françoise Soudaz, Laetitia Garcia Moreno, Nigel Olisa, Jean-Yves Stenuick Photographer: Pilippe Molitor, Frédéric Swennen, Thierry Rogé Design: Elza Lőw Friends of Europe - December 2015 Image credit: CC/Flickr Thomas Guignard This report is printed on responsibly produced paper

5 Table of contents Executive summary 7 Annual roundtable seeks cure for Europe s ills 7 Addressing europe s crises: Policy crossroads 10 Seeking refugee solutions 14 Growth with solidarity and responsibility 19 Neighbourhood woes 21 Recovering global influence 28 Digital catch-up 37 Infrastructural challenges 44 Building a caring Europe 49 Paths to a brighter future 55 The President s Dinner 59 ANNEX I - Programme 62 ANNEX II - List of participants 67

6 6 Friends of Europe Future Europe

7 The State of Europe Winter EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Annual State of Europe roundtable seeks cure for Europe s ills At a time when successive crises have undermined public trust in Europe and opened up unprecedented rifts among countries within the European Union, Friends of Europe s annual high-level State of Europe roundtable gathered over 200 top-level policymakers, civil society and business leaders to reflect and discuss ways to overcome threats to the very survival of Europe s post-world War II unity project. The conference heard how relations among EU members states, already soured by the long Euro-zone debt crisis, have been deeply damaged by disagreements over how to handle the influx of refugees into Europe from Syria and other conflict zones. Public dissatisfaction with the manner that Europe and mainstream national governments are handling the crises are pushing voters into the arms of politicians opposed to the European project from both the nationalist right and the radical left. Yet speakers said unity is needed more than ever as Europe faces security threats on its eastern and southern borders, and longer term challenges to its place in the world from the rise of powers like China and a growing US focus on the Asia-Pacific region. To break out of this cycle of decline, the State of Europe conference was told Europe needs to fall back on its core values of democracy, human rights and social solidarity. The roundtable looked at how new life could be injected into a sluggish economic recovery through investment in infrastructure or building a genuine digital single market for the EU s 503m consumers. Participants urged Europe to recover the lead in environment protection and sustainable development; to find new ways to lift countries out of recession by combining fiscal responsibility with pro-growth policies; and re-establish the EU s position as a peacemaker and role model in its troubled neighbourhood. However, although speakers searched for signs of hope, the mood was sober.

8 8 Friends of Europe Future Europe The challenge to the European project today is existential, said Frans Timmermans, First Vice President of the European Commission. The refugee crisis has brought that to light. What was unimaginable before now becomes imaginable, namely the disintegration of the European project. Timmermans was speaking two-days before the latest in a series of summit meetings designed to overcome divisions between European governments over how to cope with the record refugee flow into the EU this year, which was expected to rise above 1m people by the end of October. Divisions over refugees have combined with mistrust built up over seven years of Euro-zone debt crisis to drag relations between capitals to new lows. I have never seen a situation where member states are so distrustful of one another, said Etienne Davignon, President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former Vice President of the European Commission. We have to restore faith in our strategy. We ve lost faith, he added. Several participants noted that, while some members states were seeking to close the door on refugees and other migrants, Europe s ageing population means newcomers are needed to fill the gaps in a European workforce that is forecast to shrink by 1 1/2m-a-year over the next two decades. A greater effort is needed to inform the public of that need for immigration, said Stefano Manservisi, Head of Cabinet of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. If we don t do it properly then our public opinion simply won t understand, Manservisi told the roundtable. The future is not about public order or border management, the future is about integration, because we all know that in our society we ll need more migration and not less in the future. The point was taken up by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia and Trustee of Friends of Europe. He cautioned that countries failing to grasp the importance of outside expertise and manpower would face an economic backlash in an increasingly globalised world. As it is, we have a labour shortage in IT, Ilves said. If the climate that we see developing in some countries continues developing the way it is, then IT companies will depart to places that are more tolerant.

9 The State of Europe Winter Speakers insisted the divisions over Europe s refugee crisis are just a symptom of a deeper malaise, running back to through the financial crisis and beyond, and widening the gap between Europe and its citizens. For Europe to regain public trust, it has to regain its democratic soul, said Zoe Konstantopoulou, former Syriza speaker of the Hellenic Parliament. To regain the trust of the people, it should go back to trusting its people and to respecting them. Throughout the conference, Konstantopoulou put forward an impassioned critique of austerity measures introduced in response to the debt crisis. She said policies imposed by the EU and other international creditors had left Greece impoverished and facing unacceptable hardship. That, Konstantopoulou insisted, had undermined the foundations of European solidarity. While others were critical of austerity, they countered that fiscal responsibility was crucial to underpin solidarity among EU members. We in Europe need more solidarity, but more solidarity will never become a real proposition in Europe unless a way is found to have, at the same time, more risk sharing, but also a limitation of moral hazard, a limitation for some people to exploit other people, said Mario Monti, Italian Senator, former Italian Prime Minister, former EU Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe.

10 10 Friends of Europe Future Europe ADDRESSING EUROPE S CRISES: POLICY CROSSROADS European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans was blunt in his assessment of the challenges facing Europe in these tough times. There is quite a strong lack of trust between member states, he told the conference. We need to get out of this We ve lost track of what we share or the common destiny we should be building and we re looking ahead especially at the differences between us. This is an old European illness. We ve lost track of what we share or the common destiny we should be building and we re looking ahead especially at the differences between us. This is an old European illness. Frans Timmermans, European Commission First Vice President Timmermans said politicians opposed to the European project were able to thrive in a climate of fear that has built up - first over the economic crisis which, for the first time in generations, made voters fear their children would be worse off than they are; then again over the refugee question where populists have preyed on fears that the newcomers could steal jobs, overwhelm welfare systems, undermine national cultures or spread insecurity and disease. For some time now, the determining factor in European politics has been fear, Timmermans said. What you see across Europe is the politics of fear being exploited by certain political movements. Centrist politicians, he said, have to repair their battered self-confidence and fight back with a renewed focus on Europe s core values. As politicians in the centre, we abandoned speech based on our values, we became too practical about things.

11 The State of Europe Winter Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, President of the Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs, Former NATO Secretary General, Trustee of Friends of Europe and, like Timmermans, a former Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, agreed that mainstream politicians had to take some of the blame for public disenchantment with the European project. We have a huge responsibility to connect with the European citizen and there, up till now, we have largely failed, de Hoop Scheffer said. We can agree, we can disagree, we can comfort each other, we know what s best, but as soon as the herd doesn t follow us, we still have a major problem. That is not only relevant for migration, for asylum, but for almost all the subjects we ve discussed. Other speakers took up the need for the political centre to respond with a more positive narrative.

12 12 Friends of Europe Future Europe Founder and President of Women s WorldWide Web and European Young Leader Lindsey Nefesh-Clarke said she sees plenty of opportunities to promote success stories in Europe based on progress on enterprise, youth and gender issues. The crises that are facing Europe are an ideal opportunity for Eurosceptics to level Manichean criticisms at the EU and for populists to tap into the fears and anxieties of citizens, she said. It s crucial that we counter this populist discourse. It s dangerous, politically, economically, socially, morally to allow these pessimistic attitudes to frame the debate. Joaquín Almunia, former Vice-President of the European Commission and Trustee of Friends of Europe, pointed out that public disillusionment with the European project goes back further than the recent crises. He recalled the rejection of the EU s Constitutional Treaty in French and Dutch referendums back in 2005 as an earlier example of voter alienation. The crises that are facing Europe are an ideal opportunity for Eurosceptics to level Manichean criticisms at the EU and for populists to tap into the fears and anxieties of citizens. Lindsey Nefesh-Clarke, Founder and President of Women s WorldWide Web and European Young Leader

13 The State of Europe Winter The mistrust in the European integration process and the EU institutions, I think, has deeper roots than the financial or economic problems, or the migration issues linked with the refugee crisis, Almunia said. I think we have a lack of discussion, a lack of trust in our common values and lack of reflection regarding the European model of society in this 21st century. Turning to a forthcoming referendum which threatens to be even more disruptive for the European Union, Mario Monti, Italian Senator, former Italian Prime Minister, former EU Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe, said he was hopeful the British would vote to stay in the EU, despite opinion poll predictions of a close race. Monti s confidence is based in part on his expectation that a vote to break from Europe could lead to a breakup of the United Kingdom. In the case that the UK does leave the European Union, luckily enough we do know that in that case, Scotland leaves the UK, Monti said. That means a double disintegration. It may provoke some pleasure in some Brits to disintegrate the European Union, but to disintegrate the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will not give them a great pleasure. In the case that the UK does leave the European Union, luckily enough we do know that in that case, Scotland leaves the UK. Mario Monti, Italian Senator, former Italian Prime Minister, former EU Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe

14 14 Friends of Europe Future Europe To connect with voters, not just in the UK, but across Europe, Monica Frassoni, Co- Chair of the European Green Party and Trustee of Friends of Europe, suggested European governments need to overcome their aversion to discussing the future of EU institutions and changes that could make the Union more democratic. We have to reopen the institutional debate, she said. One of things we have to start doing again is to deal with the words democracy and supra-nationality and asking if institutions really work. Seeking refugee solutions We have to reopen the institutional debate. Monica Frassoni, Co-Chair of the European Green Party and Trustee of Friends of Europe The refugee crisis was at the fore of the debate. Discussants highlighted how it triggers division between countries in Europe, provides ammunition for populist politicians and threatens one of the EU s key achievements as governments re-erect barriers to the free movement of people across the Union s internal borders. Yet, despite the angst expressed by governments, media and the public over the refugee influx, several speakers underscored Europe s need to bring in more people as a counter-weight to demographic developments that will leave the EU with insufficient workers to support an ageing population. Timmermans said the migration issue would be with us for at least a generation as Europe comes round to the notion of being a continent of arrival by developing a better functioning system of legal migration while taking measures to expel false asylum seekers who aim to abuse the system.

15 The State of Europe Winter He also called for improved border protection, increased cooperation with neighbouring nations and agreements with countries like the United States, Canada and Australia to resettle refugees. Hélène Rey, Professor of Economics at London Business School (LBS) and Recipient of the Yrjö Jahnssson Award in Economics, was concerned that the clear economic benefits of migration weren t getting through to the public. That, she said, indicated a worrying trend in the way voters opinions are shaped. All these facts seem to have less and less impact on the beliefs of people. The beliefs of people are not shaped by facts any more in a number of countries. I find that very worrying, as an economist, as a citizen, Rey said. We have to change this, but I don t know how. Kensika Monshengwo, Director of The Smiling Tree in Ireland and former Director of the Irish National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, persuaded participants to take part in an eye-opening role-playing game that placed them in the shoes of asylum seekers. Because you are human beings you have the right to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution, he said. I think you get the point. Because you are human beings you have the right to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. Kensika Monshengwo, Director of The Smiling Tree in Ireland and former Director of the Irish National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism

16 16 Friends of Europe Future Europe The conference was reminded that the scale of Europe s refugee situation is dwarfed by that facing Syria s neighbours. Turkey has over 2m Syrian refugees, Lebanon more than 1m and Jordan 630,000, according to figures from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). All this talk of a refugee crisis in Europe is actually inaccurate, said Jim Clarken, Chief Executive Officer of Oxfam Ireland. A few hundred thousand people, who are desperately fleeing conflict and certain death in many cases, coming to the wealthiest place on the planet with 500m people isn t a crisis. When you have 1m going to the Lebanon and a quarter of the entire population being refugees, that s a crisis. Timmermans replied that that analysis ignored the political dimension of the refugee issue in Europe and its potential to exacerbate divisions and fuel extremism. He agreed however that with the right approach, politicians could sway public opinion behind a positive refugee policy. As long as you can make sure that our citizens can see the human being behind the refugee, then I think we ll be alright, Timmermans said. If not, he warned, there was a risk we take away part of their humanity and give reason to those people who don t want to face the problem and are saying let s close the borders and keep them out.

17

18 18 Friends of Europe Future Europe

19 The State of Europe Winter Growth with solidarity and responsibility The other crisis highlighted as a cause of Europe s existential malaise was the euro-zone debt question which was re-ignited this year as January s election of the Syriza-led government in Greece led to renewed fears that the country would be forced to make a Grexit from the currency union - until Athens agreed in August to implement more austerity measures in return for a third bailout deal worth 86bn. Zoe Konstantopoulou, former Syriza President of the Hellenic Parliament, was strongly critical of the painful reform programmes imposed on Greece in return for the three international bailout deals it has received since It cannot be that Europe relinquishes its human rights tradition, its social face, just for the sake of competition and competitiveness, she said. There are people today being totally abandoned by European institutions. This is a matter to discuss. There are people today being totally abandoned by European institutions. This is a matter to discuss. Zoe Konstantopoulou, former Syriza President of the Hellenic Parliament While there was sympathy for the plight of the Greek people and a recognition from many that Greece s creditors made serious errors in imposing such harsh measures on the country, several speakers insisted that successive Greek governments on the right and left bore blame for the crisis. Many said Greek appeals for solidarity have to be matched with with fiscal responsibility in Athens.

20 20 Friends of Europe Future Europe We need a narrative of responsibility, said Sander Loones, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Do we need European solidarity? Absolutely, but I think first and foremost, we need responsibility. Prof. Rey of the LBS was one of many discussants who said euro-zone structures must be more responsive to the need for growth and the aspirations of citizens. Citizens in Europe must feel that Europe not only helps them to grow and to have new opportunities to innovate, but that it is also a space of solidarity, she said. The architecture of the euro-area needs definitely to be completed... we need to get through to citizens. Citizens in Europe must feel that Europe not only helps them to grow and to have new opportunities to innovate, but that it is also a space of solidarity. Hélène Rey, Professor of Economics at London Business School (LBS) and Recipient of the Yrjö Jahnssson Award in Economics

21 The State of Europe Winter Giovanna Pancheri, Brussels Correspondent at Sky TG 24 and European Young Leader, pointed to the widespread pessimism and noted that younger people were among those most disillusioned. The economic crisis and its effects is one of the reasons for the rise of eurosceptic movements in Europe, it s also very interesting to see that many of the people who are voting for these kinds of movements are young people in their first elections, she said. The economic crisis and its effects is one of the reasons for the rise of eurosceptic movements in Europe, it s also very interesting to see that many of the people who are voting for these kinds of movements are young people in their first elections. Giovanna Pancheri, Brussels Correspondent at Sky TG 24 and European Young Leader Neighbourhood woes In Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, conflict and insecurity are rife. Those trouble spots in the neighbourhood are impacting on Europe s security. Home-grown terrorists inspired or trained by Islamists in the Middle East have brought death to Europe s streets; over 200 EU citizens died when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine; the refugee influx from Syria is straining Europe s social services and political unity.

22 22 Friends of Europe Future Europe Yet a Europe that can t fix itself looks increasingly unable to help the neighbourhood. There is hardly the beginning of a strategy in the European Union on Syria, said de Hoop Scheffer. We don t talk to the Russians, we don t talk to the Iranians... The fact that we do not have a strategy for Syria means that the refugee crisis, as a direct consequence of what s happening there, is more complicated that it already was. De Hoop Scheffer was far from alone in complaining of Europe s foreign policy shortcomings in the neighbourhood. We have experienced a huge change in the region, the (European neighbourhood) policy is not robust enough to address all the claims and all the changes that have been happening, said Assia Bensalah Alaoui, Ambassador at Large of HM Mohamed VI the King of Morocco. The fact that we do not have a strategy for Syria means that the refugee crisis, as a direct consequence of what s happening there, is more complicated that it already was. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, President of the Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs

23 The State of Europe Winter Neighbourhood policy would not be enough to tackle the problem because now the challenges are huge and there is a mix of security problems, development problems, social and lack-of-jobs problems, she added. We need to give jobs to these young people who are rally desperate, idle and prey to radicalisation. One speaker was all too painfully aware of the consequences of that radicalisation. Saliha Ben Ali, Founder of Society Against Violent Extremism Belgium (SAVE Belgium) lost her teenage son who was killed in Syria after being recruited by Islamist radicals. She is now working to empower parents to build a first line of defence against radicalisation. Neighbourhood policy would not be enough to tackle the problem because now the challenges are huge and there is a mix of security problems, development problems, social and lack-ofjobs problems. Assia Bensalah Alaoui, Ambassador at Large of HM Mohamed VI the King of Morocco

24 24 Friends of Europe Future Europe What do we have to do for the counter-narrative? Ben Ali asked. In my position, I just have to go into the schools and talk to the young people about the disaster that follows extremist manipulation, and inform parents that Islam, the religion, is not to choose to go and die for this cause. We can help people, we can do something to help other communities and society. Such grass roots initiatives were applauded by speakers, who highlighted the difficulties in building strategies to defeat extremists seeking to radicalise disenchanted youth both in Europe and in neighbouring countries. If such a counter narrative comes from top down, if it s something that smacks of government counter-narrative, then it simply doesn t have any credibility and you don t reach the people you want to reach. Mary Fitzgerald, Libya analyst, Foreign Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Independent and European Young Leader If such a counter narrative comes from top down, if it s something that smacks of government counter-narrative, then it simply doesn t have any credibility and you don t reach the people you want to reach, said Mary Fitzgerald, Libya analyst, Foreign Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Independent and European Young Leader. Ian Buruma, professor of Human rights and Journalism at Bard College in the United States, author of Year Zero and Taming the Gods: Religion and Democracy on Three Continents, stressed the importance of correctly diagnosing the nature of the extremist threat.

25 The State of Europe Winter To try to understand this, it s not really very useful to read the Quran, or to treat this as a theological problem. It s not a fundamentally theological problem, it s a socio-political problem, Buruma said. If we see it as a theological problem and see Islam as inherently prone to this kind of violence, not only is that intellectually wrong, I think that risks alienating the majority of law-abiding Muslim Europeans whose support we need. As the EU prepares a new Global Strategy for foreign and security policy to be presented to leaders in June 2016, Stefano Manservisi, Head of Cabinet, European Commission Cabinet of High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Federica Mogherini, explained how Europe s neighbourhood was presenting the most pressing challenges in a world that is increasingly connected, contested and complex. We are facing here in the region a test for these three concepts, he said. We are living in an area which is the most turbulent in the world. It s not a fundamentally theological problem, it s a socio-political problem. Ian Buruma, professor of Human rights and Journalism at Bard College in the United States, author of Year Zero and Taming the Gods: Religion and Democracy on Three Continents

26 Kensika Monshengwo, Director of The Smiling Tree in Ireland and former Director of the Irish National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, during an interview 2. Geert Cami, Friends of Europe Co-Founder & Director 3. Michael Printzos, Programme Director, The Hellenic Initiative and European Young Leader with Danae Bezantakou, Managing Director at Navigator Shipping Consultants and European Young Leader Sander Loones, MEP From left to right: Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, President of the Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs, Former NATO Secretary General, Trustee of Friends of Europe and a former Foreign Minister of the Netherlands; Marietje Schaake MEP, Commissioner for the Global Commission on Internet Governance, and Trustee of Friends of Europe and Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the World Trade Organization, former European Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe

27 5. Maria Stratigaki, Vice Mayor of Athens for Social Solidarity 6. Saliha Ben Ali, Founder of Society Against Violent Extremism Belgium (SAVE Belgium) Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe & External Affairs, The Scottish Government 8. Štefan Füle, former EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy and Trustee of Friends of Europe

28 28 Friends of Europe Future Europe Recovering global influence The long-held assumption that the European Union s economic clout, as the world s biggest trading block, would evolve into global political influence has been rocked by recent events: from the sovereign debt crisis to upheavals on the EU s southern and eastern borders and the United States growing contacts with a fast-growing East Asia. For a long time, the view was that Europe was an economic giant and political dwarf but with time the dwarf would grow, said Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the World Trade Organization, former European Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe. What s happened is the other way round. The economic giant is shrinking, and the dwarf has created a terrible mess in what matters most for European influence, which is European neighbourhood. When you look at North Africa, the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, it s a mess. For a long time, the view was that Europe was an economic giant and political dwarf but with time the dwarf would grow. Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the World Trade Organization, former European Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe Much of the problem is down the fact that EU member states continue to follow their national foreign policy interests rather than working together behind the Union s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) said Štefan Füle, Former Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy and Trustee of Friends of Europe.

29 The State of Europe Winter We don t have one CFSP, we have 29 foreign polices, he said. The strains caused by Europe s inability to provide a effective common response to the refugee issue have further undermined the EU s standing in the world, argued Shada Islam, Director of Policy at Friends of Europe. I want to stress how much damage the EU s mishandling of the refugee crisis has done to Europe s reputation and global influence, she said. If you talk to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and how badly they are handling their refugee crisis, their Rohingya crisis, we can t tell them what to do, we have no moral high ground, no moral authority left. Officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS) defended the EU s foreign policy role, pointing out that other actors were also struggling find a response to crises such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. We are certainly dwarfed by some of the challenges around us, but so is everyone, said Christian Leffler, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues at the EEAS. I want to stress how much damage the EU s mishandling of the refugee crisis has done to Europe s reputation and global influence. Shada Islam, Director of Policy at Friends of Europe

30 30 Friends of Europe Future Europe He pointed to areas in which the EU is taking a global lead such as environmental protection, where Europe is expected to take a prominent position in December s UN climate change summit in Paris; sustainable development, where Europe played a very strong leadership role in the September talks leading to the adoption of UN Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years; and international trade where the EU hopes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) it is negotiating with the United States could become a template for free-trade deals around the world. One area we are good at is the economy: trade, investment, economic integration even economic reform, said Leffer. Despite the economic crisis over the past 10 years, Europe has not turned inwards. Europe has not turned protectionist. We have looked for new trading opportunities. And despite the economic crisis, European development assistance has gone up, not down. Even in those areas, however, there is criticism of the EU. Coordinated public campaigns against TTIP have raised doubts about whether the deal - which supporters say will inject 300bn-into the world economy - will ever see the light of day. Despite the economic crisis, European development assistance has gone up, not down. Christian Leffler, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues at the EEAS

31 The State of Europe Winter Such opposition reflects wider concerns among the public, said Franziska Katharina Brantner, Chair of the Bundestag Committee on Civilian Crisis Prevention, Conflict Management and Integrated Action, and Trustee of Friends of Europe. It is about trust in the EU, she said. It is a more fundamental problem than TTIP. It is about trust in the EU. It is a more fundamental problem than TTIP. Franziska Katharina Brantner, Chair of the Bundestag Committee on Civilian Crisis Prevention, Conflict Management and Integrated Action, and Trustee of Friends of Europe Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chief Executive Officer of Solvay, questioned the effectiveness of Europe s lead on the environment, as well as its effect on the continent s competitiveness. I feel that Europe is not leading a race but running alone. Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chief Executive Officer of Solvay

32 32 Friends of Europe Future Europe We have not been good at being the driving force of global agreement on climate change, he said. Europe started by putting its proposal on the table and was the only region with a strong track record. And yet we are not at the centre stage of the negotiations. I feel that Europe is not leading a race but running alone. Bensalah Alaoui from Morocco urged the EU to stay focused on the crises raging in its near neighbourhood. Why should Europe care about its global influence when there is so much turmoil and chaos on its doorstep? she said. The priority should be the Mediterranean and the region. Why should Europe seek to recover global influence now at a moment when it is morally and physically assaulted by urgent questions? It seems to have neither the time, given an overloaded agenda, nor the required cohesion, nor the financial means to pursue such goals. It is almost mission impossible.

33 The State of Europe Winter The question of how far the EU should develop hard power or military capabilities to complement its economic and diplomatic influence was also debated in the context of the Global Strategy on foreign and security policy currently being drafted. We are traditionally not very good at hard foreign policy, Leffer said. But the hard power side is developing more than most people realise. At this time, the EU is employing 20,000 people soldiers and civilians in 12 field missions in different parts of the world, mainly Africa. The focus however is set to stay on soft power. The European Union is a credible soft power... despite all our difficulties and crises we are still inspiring many in the world, said Manservisi. Is it credible that the European Union will in the near future become a hard power? I don t think so. The European Union is a credible soft power... despite all our difficulties and crises we are still inspiring many in the world. Stefano Manservisi, Head of Cabinet of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini Daniel J. Costello, Ambassador at the Mission of Canada to the EU, offered trans-atlantic support for EU foreign policy, but expressed concern that the succession of crises risked turning Europe away from the world. External partners can t stand to see you do this to yourselves, he said. We are your friends and your family, we want to scream because we trust in you, we admire what you ve achieved, we don t want to see you turn inward on yourselves. We need you.

34 34 Friends of Europe Future Europe

35 The State of Europe Winter

36

37 The State of Europe Winter Digital catch-up Europe has also been slipping behind in the digital economy, where the United States and Asia are making the running. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia and Trustee of Friends of Europe, was among many who stressed the need for Europe to get its act together by boosting technology investment, overcoming protectionist barriers to the creation of a digital single market in Europe, supporting tech education and entrepreneurship, and building an appropriate legal framework for the digital era. To get there, he insisted, Europe s leaders need to become tech savvy. We have in our democratic societies the problem of the two cultures writ large. We have geeks who figure out bigger and better ways to do all kinds of things, often very lucrative things, sometimes not so good with regard to human rights, or privacy, and then we have a culture of lawmakers and judges who have not really studied math in the last 30 or 40 years, Ilves said. We have bridge this gap. From left to right: Marietje Schaake MEP, Global Commission on Internet Governance; Wouter Verschelden, NewsMonkey, European Young Leader; Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia; Amit Sood, Head of the Google Cultural Institute; France Cordova, director of the US National Science Foundation and former NASA Chief Scientist

38 38 Friends of Europe Future Europe MEP Marietje Schaake, Commissioner for the Global Commission on Internet Governance, and Trustee of Friends of Europe, could only agree. I come for a world where... people don t always know the difference between a server and a waiter, she joked. Schaake said policymakers would always be playing catch up given the pace of digital developments, but she acknowledged that politicians have to modernize their mindsets if Europe is to avoid being left on the sidelines of the digital revolution. Europe has not quite made a real choice yet to develop a vision of where it wants to be, she said. A real sense of urgency to make Europe the smartest continent on Earth is lacking. A real sense of urgency to make Europe the smartest continent on Earth is lacking. Marietje Schaake MEP, Commissioner for the Global Commission on Internet Governance and Trustee of Friends of Europe

39 The State of Europe Winter From the business side, Wouter Verschelden, founder and publisher at NewsMonkey and European Young Leader, concurred with the urgent need to change mindsets. If I look at Europe, I m really scared about the lack of support, the lack of mental framework on how fast things are evolving, how fast the Americans and Chinese are jumping in my business here and overtaking a lot of what we do, he told the conference. We are no longer setting the stage and that s a key fundamental problem. I m really scared about the lack of support, the lack of mental framework on how fast things are evolving, how fast the Americans and Chinese are jumping in my business here and overtaking a lot of what we do. Wouter Verschelden, founder and publisher at NewsMonkey and European Young Leader Education is crucial to Europe keeping up, said Remus Pricopie, Rector of Romania s National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, and former Minister of National Education. We have to ask ourselves if the population generally speaking, but also kids, the young generation, are prepared for the digital world, he said. Are we going to build a new gap in Europe, a digital gap from the point of view of kids? Amid all the doubts, there were encouraging words from across the Atlantic.

40 40 Friends of Europe Future Europe You have some of the best minds and universities and young people in the world, just all around you, and they are really worth investing in, said France Cordova, director of the US National Science Foundation and former NASA Chief Scientist. You have some of the best minds and universities and young people in the world, just all around you, and they are really worth investing in. France Cordova, director of the US National Science Foundation and former NASA Chief Scientist

41 The State of Europe Winter She pointed to the successful US model of channeling government and private funding into universities science and technology research programmes. In the US, more and more discoveries keep being made all the time, because we invest in our universities, Cordova said. The government and universities, private individuals and industry can all work together successfully, to keep moving the digital era forward. Amit Sood, Head of the Google Cultural Institute, also pointed to collaboration as the way forward. There is a huge opportunity here in Europe to do even better and faster with more collaboration between cultural institutions, policy makers and private partners, he said. There is a huge opportunity here in Europe to do even better and faster with more collaboration between cultural institutions, policy makers and private partners. Amit Sood, Head of the Google Cultural Institute

42 42 Friends of Europe Future Europe Ilves recognized the urgent need for more investment, but to harness Europe s tech talent, he said, the legal system and the rules on cross-border commerce and investment within Europe must be radically overhauled. It s not simply just funding smart people and laying a lot of fibre all over, you also need to approach the legal framework we are operating in, which is often really designed for the 19th century, he said. It s not simply just funding smart people and laying a lot of fibre all over, you also need to approach the legal framework we are operating in, which is often really designed for the 19th century. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia and Trustee of Friends of Europe

43

44 44 Friends of Europe Future Europe Infrastructural challenges Investment in technology is one of the key components of the plan unveiled by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker last year to unlock 315bn in public and private money to finance infrastructure projects up to The European Commission sees the plan as key to efforts to inject fresh vigour into an EU economy forecast to grow at just 1.8% this year, compared to 3.3% in the United States and 6.8% in China. With interest rates at record lows, more public funding should come on line to overcome Europe s infrastructure investment gap, said Jan Mischke, Senior Fellow and European Research Leader at the McKinsey Global Institute. There s a very commonly accepted narrative, which is that public finance is tight, so we need more private investment and private finance, but, as compelling as that narrative is, it is incomplete at best, he said. Public finance is not tight. Interest rates have never been lower in history. There are no financing constraints for governments. Public finance is not tight. Interest rates have never been lower in history. There are no financing constraints for governments. Jan Mischke, Senior Fellow and European Research Leader at the McKinsey Global Institute

45 The State of Europe Winter Despite the low interest rates however, Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President for Innovation at the European Investment Bank (EIB), pointed out that investment levels remain way down from pre-crisis levels. Everyone says there is plenty of liquidity in Europe, but the level of investment is 15% below compared with before the crisis in 2008, he said. This is not what we see in other regions in the world which are our competitors. That s why there has been this plan. The EIB has a key role in the Juncker plan. A new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) will get a 16bn guarantee from the EU budget, plus 5bn of EIB capital. The fund is supposed to generate about 15 times more money from the private sector. Everyone says there is plenty of liquidity in Europe, but the level of investment is 15% below compared with before the crisis in Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President for Innovation at the European Investment Bank (EIB) The plan also foresees the EIB making investing more in smaller, more risky projects covering areas such as renewable energy or household energy efficiency. We have already started to do something which is a big change for the institution, which is to move from big projects small risk to smaller projects bigger risk, said Fayolle. That s a big change and that s why we are hopeful that this can make a change in the investment environment in Europe. Another way to boost public investment could be through changes in EU fiscal rules to distinguish between profligate consumption and productive infrastructure, said Mischke. When will we reconsider public accounting systems or at least reinterpret the rules to differentiate the different types of spending? he asked. Education is one key investment area that cannot be neglected, even though it might not show immediate returns, argued André Loesekrug-Pietri, Founder and Managing Partner of A CAPITAL in China and a European Young Leader.

46 46 Friends of Europe Future Europe Education is a terrible investment over five to 10 years, Loesekrug-Pietri said. And it is the best investment you can make over 25 years. But who are the investors investing over 25 years? Very few. So could education be part of the Juncker Plan? Today we have this mentality that education and training cost something, but perhaps people should be paid to be trained for working life. Education is a terrible investment over five to 10 years. André Loesekrug-Pietri, Founder and Managing Partner of A CAPITAL in China and a European Young Leader That raised a wider discussion of issues related to the economy and society. This goes well beyond infrastructure in the concrete sense and we start to talk about the kind of Europe we want to live in, said Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe. This goes well beyond infrastructure in the concrete sense and we start to talk about the kind of Europe we want to live in. Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe

47

48

49 The State of Europe Winter Building a caring Europe Linked to those concerns is the perceived erosion of social services and social equality as a result of the financial crisis and subsequent economic downturn - more factors behind the sliding public trust in the European project. After the economic crisis, austerity targeted the poorest people first by cutting minimum wages, said Clarken from Oxfam. In my country, Ireland, homelessness is at its highest in my lifetime. He pointed out that the richest 1% of Europeans hold 30% of the wealth, while the poorest 40% have just 1%. This level of inequality is not inevitable, Clarken said. This isn t a lack of resources it s the way resources are distributed. It is about political choices at EU level and at country level. This level of inequality is not inevitable. This isn t a lack of resources it s the way resources are distributed. It is about political choices at EU level and at country level. Jim Clarken, Chief Executive Officer of Oxfam Ireland Correcting the situation means a number of measures. One is to get back some of the $100bn of tax that multinationals have avoided through taxdodging schemes, Clarken said. That would enable higher spending on public services.

50 50 Friends of Europe Future Europe Current high levels of poverty in the EU persist in spite of Europe s traditional commitment to social safety nets, said Sylvie Goulard, MEP, President of the European Parliament Intergroup on Extreme Poverty, and Trustee of Friends of Europe. Since the beginning of European integration, there was a strong social dimension included, she said. We don t need to reinvent the wheel. It s something that was at the heart of the European project. When 2010 was made the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the European Commission said it would cut the EU s estimated 80m people living below the poverty line by a quarter over the decade. Instead, because of the crisis, we have more deprived persons than ever, said Goulard. Since the beginning of European integration, there was a strong social dimension included. Sylvie Goulard MEP, President of the European Parliament Intergroup on Extreme Poverty, and Trustee of Friends of Europe

51 The State of Europe Winter The feeling that Europe no longer cares about social equality is fuelling euroskepticism, said Nicolas Schmit, Luxembourg s Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy. It looks now like a Europe that puts markets above people, and populist parties want to use this, he said. There is increasing social and economic divergence. Where you live is a question of life and death. Greece is a prime example, Schmit said. We have to have fiscal responsibility, but not while closing our eyes to social misery and economic disaster, he said. This shows we need a different type of government in this European Union. If you talk about budgetary discipline, this has an influence on social policy. We have needed to think about balancing. You cannot separate social and economic issues. We have to have fiscal responsibility, but not while closing our eyes to social misery and economic disaster. Nicolas Schmit, Luxembourg s Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy Healthcare is a particular area of concern as Europe s ageing societies put more strains on health systems already suffering from budget cutbacks. Tight finances must not hold back life-saving progress in the healthcare sector, said Nina Rawal, Investment Manager at the Swedish Industrial Development Fund, a European Young Leader and Women s Forum Rising Talent.

52 52 Friends of Europe Future Europe We have great opportunities, but these innovations come at a cost, Rawal said. It s not going to be for free, but across Europe, governments are already struggling to finance current levels of healthcare. Last year in Greece, the government temporarily withdrew reimbursement for basic medication for inhospital patients. We have great opportunities, but these innovations come at a cost. Nina Rawal, Investment Manager at the Swedish Industrial Development Fund, a European Young Leader and Women s Forum Rising Talent A starting point for providing affordable healthcare is to talk about common aims, said David Khougazian, President and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur MSD. We need clear priorities, and we need a deep understanding of what is achievable, he said. We need to have industry at the table to have a constructive dialogue about what we can develop together. By having common objectives and an understanding of capabilities, we will increase trust. We need clear priorities, and we need a deep understanding of what is achievable. David Khougazian, President and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur MSD

53

54 54 Friends of Europe Future Europe

55 The State of Europe Winter Paths to a brighter future Despite the sombre mood, the conference pointed to a way forward for Europe, with a renewed focus on core values to win back public trust and rebuild solidarity among the EU s member states. I believe that the European ideals still have very strong support among the population across Europe, Timmermans said. We have something to work with, namely the belief that Europe is still something that can be a positive contribution to our future. Etienne Davignon, President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former Vice President of the European Commission, pointed to a paradox among public opinion. Overwhelmingly there is an opinion that member states cannot do it along, so that the European Union project is still very strong and living, the statistics show that, he said. At the same time, the same statistics show people are unsatisfied with what s happening. Overwhelmingly there is an opinion that member states cannot do it along, so that the European Union project is still very strong and living, the statistics show that. At the same time, the same statistics show people are unsatisfied with what s happening. Etienne Davignon, President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former Vice President of the European Commission Investment in infrastructure, education and technology can be used to bolster Europe s fragile recovery from the long economic downturn. Reforms to support growth and competitiveness can be combined with fiscal responsibility and respect for Europe s welfare traditions. Europe can take a lead in development and environment protection, hone its soft power advantages to become a force for good in a troubled world.

56 56 Friends of Europe Future Europe Europe is like cholesterol, you have the good cholesterol and the bad cholesterol, and you have the good Europe and bad Europe, contended Massimo Gaudina, Head of Unit for Communication at the European Research Council Executive Agency. The bad Europe is the one linked to austerity, bureaucracy, the euro crisis etc. But there is a good cholesterol, a very good Europe which we do not talk about too much, the success stories of Europe. We have the single market, we have the Erasmus Programme, we have protection of the environment, consumers, Gaudina continued. There are lots of success stories that Europe can sell to correct the image of Europe and build the trust of it s citizens. As the roundtable closed in the presence of His Majesty the King of the Belgians with performances from award-winning British stand-up comedian and writer Shazia Mirza and musician Henry Padovani, first guitarist of the rock group The Police, Friends of Europe Co-Founder & Director Geert Cami reminded participants that Europe has no choice but to move forward. There is no alternative for the EU in a globalised world. There is no alternative but to work together and find solutions for transnational challenges, Cami said. The EU may need some serious surgery and good doctors, but killing the patient will not solve any of our problems. The EU may need some serious surgery and good doctors, but killing the patient will not solve any of our problems. Geert Cami, Co-Founder & Director of Friends of Europe

57 1. His Majesty the King of the Belgians with Etienne Davignon, President of Friends of Europe 2. Henry Padovani, Musician, first guitarist of rock group The Police His Majesty the King of the Belgians 4. Shazia Mirza, Award Winning British Stand Up Comedian and Writer 5. Antónia Mészáros, Hungary s ATV journalist and European Young Leader

58 58 Friends of Europe Future Europe

59 The State of Europe Winter The President s Dinner The prestigious President s Dinner for a few hundred international decision makers preceded the high level roundtable and was hosted by Etienne Davignon, Friends of Europe President and Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg Prime Minister of Luxembourg. Prime Minister Bettel reminded guests that in the midst of the crises Europe is facing, EU leaders need to act swiftly and stop behaving like if they were in a souk. The dinner also offered a very entertaining evening thanks to the participation of Shazia Mirza, Award winning stand-up comedian and Henry Padovani, first guitarist of rock group The Police.

60 Shazia Mirza, Award Winning British Stand Up Comedian and Writer 2. Etienne Davignon, President of Friends of Europe shakes hand with David Khougazian, President and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur MSD, in presence of Nathalie Furrer, Director of Friends of Europe 3. Henry Padovani, Musician, first guitarist of rock group The Police 4. Carlo d Asaro Biondo, President EMEA strategic relationships at Google

61 5. Androulla Vassiliou, Former EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Sport, Media and Youth, and Trustee of Friends of Europe 6. Thomas Leysen, Chairman, KBC Group Mario Monti, Italian Senator, former Italian Prime Minister, former EU Commissioner and Trustee of Friends of Europe with Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg Bruno Maçães, Portugal s Secretary of State for European Affairs and László Andor, Former EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion and Trustee of Friends of Europe 9. Coen Teulings, Chairman of Merifin Capital and Abeer Seikaly, Architect, Artist, Designer and Cultural Producer

62 62 Friends of Europe Future Europe ANNEX I Programme OPENING PLENARY SESSION Sickly Europe: Diagnosis and cure Is the European project unravelling, and if so how can it be knit back together again? The strains being placed on solidarity between European Union as well as eurozone members are a threat both to the single currency and to the hallowed principle of free movement of Europe s peoples. Due to the combination of the Grexit and refugee crises, the gulf between advocates of more Europe and less Europe widened dramatically this year, raising stark questions about the viability of the EU in its present form. What is a realistic diagnosis of Europe s ills, and what should be the prognosis? Chair: Etienne Davignon Introductory remarks: Kensika Monshengwo Conversation with: Frans Timmermans President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former Vice President of the European Commission Former Director of the Irish National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalis First Vice President of the European Commission Moderated by Shada Islam, Director of Policy at Friends of Europe and Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe

63 The State of Europe Winter FUTURE EUROPE - Regaining public trust in the European Union Should the EU s chief domestic policy thrust be: Countering rising populism by creating a 21st Century new narrative for the EU? Addressing the widening North-South rift in the EU now being exacerbated by the Eurozone crisis and go-it alone taxation policies? Tackling the widening social inequalities? Chairs: Monica Frassoni Antónia Mészáros Introductory discussants: Zoe Konstantopoulou Hélène Rey Co-Chair of the European Green Party Hungary s ATV journalist and European Young Leader Former Syriza President of the Hellenic Parliament Professor of Economics at London Business School and Recipient of the Yrjö Jahnsson Award in Economics GLOBAL/GREENER EUROPE - Recovering Europe s global influence In this Asian century, should the EU s international priority be: Setting an international agenda for global governance reform that answers the concerns of emerging powers and least-developed countries? Re-establishing Europe s leadership on climate change and sustainable development? Up-dating trade and development links with key Asian, African and Latin American nations? Chairs: Franziska Brantner Pascal Lamy Introductory discussants: Assia Bensalah Alaoui Jean-Pierre Clamadieu Christian Leffler Member of the Deutscher Bundestag Former Director General of the World Trade Organization and former EU Commissioner Ambassador at Large of HM Mohamed VI the King of Morocco CEO of Solvay Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues at the European External Action Service (EEAS)

64 64 Friends of Europe Future Europe SMARTER EUROPE - Catching up with the Digital Era Is the best way to close the innovation gap with global competitors: By re-doubling existing EU-led stimuli like funding cross-border R&D? Through a wider long-term strategy spanning education to entrepreneurism? By backing winners with subsidies and tax breaks at national and EU levels? Chairs: Toomas Hendrik Ilves Wouter Verschelden Introductory discussants: France Cordova Marietje Schaake MEP Amit Sood Estonian President Founder and Publisher at NewsMonkey and European Young Leader Director of the US National Science Foundation and former NASA Chief Scientisto Member of the European Parliament and Commissioner for the Global Commission on Internet Governance Head of the Google Cultural Institute QUALITY EUROPE - Building a caring Europe To address its deepening social challenges, should Europe: Lay much greater emphasis on demographic changes and long-term labour shortages, even if that highlights immigration issues? Fashion an EU Master Plan, however controversial that might be, to address the skills gaps and wider educational shortcomings now handicapping the European economy? Invest political capital as well as resources in an ambitious new EU-wide strategy for narrowing societal and healthcare inequalities within and between EU countries? Chairs: Sylvie Goulard MEP Nina Rawal Introductory discussants: Jim Clarken David Khougazian Nicolas Schmit President of the European Parliament Intergroup on Extreme Poverty Investment Manager at the Swedish Industrial Development Fund, European Young Leader and Women s Forum Rising Talent Chief Executive Officer of Oxfam Ireland President and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur MSD Luxembourg Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy

65 The State of Europe Winter SECURITY EUROPE - Making Europe s neighbourhood safe again For the EU to stabilise the refugee crisis and get the security genie back in its bottle, should it: Define more clearly the EU s global and regional priorities in its new EU Global Strategy? Focus on getting the balance right between soft power and hard power? Tackle the security implications of weak integration policies which lead to marginalisation and sometimes of radicalisation of migrant communities? Chairs: Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Mary Fitzgerald Introductory discussants: Saliha Ben Ali Ian Buruma Stefano Manservisi President of the Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs, former NATO Secretary General Journalist, contributing author of The Libyan Revolution and its aftermath, European Young Leader Founder of Society Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) Author of Year Zero and Taming the Gods: Religion and Democracy of Three Continents Head of Cabinet of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of Federica Mogherini SMARTER / GREENER EUROPE - Defining Europe s infrastructural challenges Faced with global climate change, its own deepening energy crisis and low growth, should the EU: Press ahead with the 315bn Juncker Plan, and perhaps expand it to make it a truly ambitious New Deal comparable to FDR s in the 1930s? Identify energy as the most important infrastructure gap of all and define priorities and timetables in an Energy Union blueprint? Further develop green growth as key to the EU s economic future? Chairs: André Loesekrug-Pietri Giles Merritt Introductory discussants: Ambroise Fayolle Jan Mischke Founder and Managing Partner of A CAPITAL and European Young Leader Secretary General of Friends of Europe Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) McKinsey Global Institute Senior Fellow and European Research Leader and co-author of the report A window of opportunity for Europe

66 66 Friends of Europe Future Europe CLOSING PLENARY SESSION Mood music for a brighter future The King, the Rock Star, the Viscount, the Comedian, the Prime Minister and the Young Leader Chairs: Geert Cami Co-Founder & Director at Friends of Europe Giovanna Pancheri Brussels Correspondent at Sky TG 24 and European Young Leader With: Etienne Davignon Shazia Mirza Mario Monti Lindsey Nefesh-Clarke Henry Padovani President of Friends of Europe, Belgian Minister of State and former Vice President of the European Commission Award Winning British Stand Up Comedian and Writer Former Italian Prime Minister Founder and President of Women s WorldWide Web and European Young Leader Musician, first guitarist of rock group The Police In presence of His Majesty the King of the Belgians

67 The State of Europe Winter ANNEX II List of participants - Discussants Olav Aamlid Syversen, Deputy Head of EU Affairs, Statoil Giorgia Abeltino, Head of Public Policy & Government Relations and Google Cultural Institute Ambassador, Google, Italy Roger Albinyana i Saigí, Secretary for Foreign and European Union Affairs, Government of Catalonia Joaquín Almunia, Trustee, Friends of Europe Natalia Alonso, Deputy Director for Advocacy and Campaigns and Head of the Office, Oxfam International EU Advocacy Office Birgitte Andersen, Chief Executive Officer and CoCreator, Big Innovation Centre, UK László Andor, Former EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion Carlos Appelgren Balbontin, Ambassador, Mission of Chile to the EU Jean-François Arnal, Permanent Representative to the EU Institutions, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Sergio Arzeni, Visiting Professor, University of Essex Luc Bas, Director, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Saliha Ben Ali, Founder, Society Against Violent Extremism Belgium (SAVE Belgium) Brando Benifei, MEP, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Assia Bensalah Alaoui, Ambassador at Large of HM Mohamed VI the King of Morocco Marie-Anne Besançon, Vice President, European Affairs, Total Danae Bezantakou, Managing Director, Navigator Shipping Consultants, Greece Joachim Bitterlich, Trustee, Friends of Europe Sixtine Bouygues, Director, Strategy and Corporate Communication, European Commission, Directorate General for Communication Franziska Katharina Brantner, Chair of the Bundestag Committee on Civilian Crisis Prevention, Conflict Management and Integrated Action, and Trustee of Friends of Europe Alenka Bratušek, Member, National Assembly, Commission for Public Finance Control, Slovenia Alexis Brouhns, Senior Executive Vice President, Solvay Ian Buruma, Professor of Human Rights and Journalism, Bard College, USA Geert Cami, Co-Founder & Director, Friends of Europe Sylviane Chapelle, European Affairs, European Patent Office (EPO) Céline Charvériat, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, Oxfam International EU Advocacy Office Kumardev Chatterjee, Founder and President, European Young Innovators Forum (EYIF) Nuria Chinchilla Albiol, Professor of Managing People in Organizations, IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Spain Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chief Executive Officer, Solvay Jim Clarken, Chief Executive Officer, Oxfam Ireland France Cordova, Director, National Science Foundation, USA Daniel J. Costello, Ambassador, Mission of Canada to the EU Robert Cox, Trustee, Friends of Europe Marek Dabrowski, Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Research (CASE), Poland Daniel Daianu, Member of the Board, National Bank of Romania Christian Danielsson, Director General, European Commission, Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Etienne Davignon, President, Friends of Europe Pieter de Gooijer, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the EU Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, President, Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs, The Netherlands Leendert de Voogd, Chief Executive Officer, Vigiglobe, France Massimo Deandreis, General Manager, SRM - Economic Research Center, Italy Anna Diamantopoulou, President, Diktio Network, Greece

68 68 Friends of Europe Future Europe Michael Diedring, Secretary General, European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) Monica Dietl, Director, European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Nikola Dimitrov, Distinguished Fellow, Hague Institute for Global Justice, Netherlands Sorin Ducaru, Assistant Secretary General, Emerging Security Challenges, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD) Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General, European Movement International Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President, Innovation, European Investment Bank (EIB), Luxembourg Natalia Federighi de Cuello, Director Public Affairs & Institutional Relations, Yara International Mary Fitzgerald, Libya analyst, foreign affairs correspondent, Irish Independent, Ireland Clémentine Forissier, Editor in chief, Contexte, France Reiner Forster, Senior Policy Adviser, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Brussels Office Monica Frassoni, Co-Chair, European Green Party Štefan Füle, former EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Trustee, Friends of Europe Nathalie Furrer, Director, Friends of Europe Alessandro Fusacchia, Head of Cabinet, Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, Italy Massimo Gaudina, Head of Unit, Communication, European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) Thomas Gauthier-Lafaye, Senior Director Public Policy and Government Affairs EU, PepsiCo Europe Andrea Gerosa, Co-Founder, ThinkYoung Edvard Glücksman, Senior Environmental and Social Specialist, Wardell Armstrong LLP, UK Juan José Gómez Camacho, Ambassador, Mission of Mexico to the EU Gie Goris, Editor-in-Chief, MO* Sylvie Goulard, MEP, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Tony Graziano, Vice President of the European Public Affairs and Communications Office, Huawei Technologies Jakob Haesler, Co-Founder, Project Alloy, France Mojmir Hampl, Vice Governor and Member of the Board, Czech National Bank Aysun Hatipoglu, Director European Public Affairs, Sanofi Sabine Heyman, Secretary General, European Heating Oil Association (EUROFUEL) Mark Higgie, Ambassador, Mission of Australia to the EU Tor Eigil Hodne, Senior Vice President, European Affairs, Statnett Gerhard Huemer, Director, Economic and Fiscal Policy, European Office of Crafts Small & Mediumsized Enterprises (UEAPME) Albert Husniaux, Director and NATO Chief Scientist, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), NATO Science & Technology Organization Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe & External Affairs, The Scottish Government Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia Shada Islam, Director of Policy, Friends of Europe Luca Jahier, President, Group III Various Interests, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), General Secretariat Suela Janina, Ambassador, Mission of Albania to the EU Daniel Janssen, Trustee, Friends of Europe Peter Javorcik, Ambassador, Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU Marc Jorna, Head of Unit, Inter Institutional and External Relations, European Commission, Directorate General for Communication Ilze Juhansone, Ambassador, Permanent Representation of Latvia to the EU Kristo Käärmann, Chief Executive Officer, TransferWise, A Peer to Peer International Money Business, UK Constance Kann, Director for Institutional Relations and Public Affairs, European Investment Bank (EIB) Afzal Khan, Vice Chair, European Parliament, Committee on Security and Defence Davaadorj Khishigdelger, Ambassador, Mission of Mongolia to the EU David Khougazian, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, France

69 The State of Europe Winter Nadezda Kokotovic, Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) Zoe Konstantopoulou, Former President of the Hellenic Parliament, Greece Marcin Korolec, Secretary of State, Ministry of the Environment, Poland Abhinav Kumar, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, Europe, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Pascal Lamy, Former Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO), Switzerland Christian Leffler, Deputy Secretary General, Economic and global issues, European External Action Service (EEAS), Directorate for Americas Andre Loesekrug-Pietri, Founder and Managing Partner, A CAPITAL Sander Loones, Vice-Chair, European Parliament, Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Bruno Maçães, Secretary of State, European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Portugal, Portugal Stefano Manservisi, Head of Cabinet, European Commission, Cabinet of High Representative for Foreign Policy & Security Federica Mogherini Fabio Marchetti, Vice President, Head of European Government Affairs, Eni Philippe Maystadt, President, Centre International de Formation Européenne (CIFE), France Philippe Maze-Sencier, Senior Director, McLarty Associates, USA Johannes Meier, Chief Executive Officer, European Climate Foundation, The Netherlands Souad Mekhennet, Correspondent, National Security Desk, The Washington Post, USA João Meneses, Executive Director Mouraria Creative Hub, Lisbon City Hall, Portugal Giles Merritt, Founder and Secretary General, Friends of Europe Antónia Mészáros, Anchor and journalist, Hungary s ATV Marianne Mikko, Member, National Parliament, Estonia, European Union Affairs Committee Shazia Mirza, Award Winning British Stand Up Comedian and Writer, UK Jan Mischke, Senior Fellow and European Research Leader, McKinsey Global Institute, Switzerland Nafisah Mohamed, Ambassador, Mission of Malaysia to the EU Kensika Monshengwo, Director, The Smiling Tree, Ireland Mario Monti, Senator, Senate, Italy Lindsey Nefesh-Clarke, Founder and President, Women s Worldwide Web, France Christophe Nijdam, Secretary General, Finance Watch Natalie Nougayrède, Foreign Affairs Commentator, The Guardian, UK Adam Nyman, Director, Debating Europe Philippe Orliange, Executive Director for Partnerships, Strategy and Communication, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), France Henry Padovani, Musician, first guitarist of rock group The Police Julius Pagojus, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Justice, Lithuania Giovanna Pancheri, Journalist, Sky TV Italia Yannos Papantoniou, President, Centre for Progressive Policy Research, Greece Leo Peeters, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Andris Piebalgs, Trustee, Friends of Europe Jean-Claude Piris, Former Secretary General of the Council of the EU Remus Pricopie, Rector, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Romania Michael Printzos, Programme Director, The Hellenic Initiative, Greece Andrea Rappagliosi, President of Vaccines Europe & Vice President Market Access, Health Policy and Medical Affairs, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, France Nina Rawal, Investment Manager, Swedish Industrial Development Fund (Industrifonden), Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Minister, Ministry of Economics, Latvia Claude Revel, Former Interministerial Delegate, expert in global business intelligence, Délégation Interministérielle à l Intelligence économique, France Hélène Rey, Professor of Economics, London Business School John Richardson, Senior Resident Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

70 70 Friends of Europe Future Europe Cristina Ronquillo, Ambassador, Mission of Peru to EU Tamsin Rose, Non-Resident Fellow, Friends of Europe François Roux, Directeur général, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cellule stratégique Affaires étrangères Eamon Ryan, Leader, Green Party, Ireland Stefano Sannino, Ambassador, Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU Marietje Schaake, Vice Chair, European Parliament, Delegation for Relations with the US Nicolas Schmit, Minister, Ministry of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Luxembourg Abeer Seikaly, Architect, artist, designer and cultural producer, Jordan Paul Slack, Musician Luc Soete, Rector Magnificus, Maastricht University, The Netherlands Amit Sood, Head of the Cultural Institute, Google Frederik Spinnewijn, Director, European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) Maria Stratigaki, Vice-Mayor for Social Solidarity, Welfare & Equality, Municipality of Athens, Greece Rudolf Strohmeier, Deputy Director-General, European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation Farid Tabarki, Founder and Director, Studio Zeitgeist, The Netherlands David Taylor, Ambassador, Mission of New Zealand to the EU Paul Taylor, European Affairs Editor, Thomson Reuters Steven Tebbe, Managing Director, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Europe Anna Terrón Cusí, Special Representative and Spokesperson, Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, Spain Coen Teulings, Chairman, Merifin Capital Frans Timmermans, First Vice President, European Commission Irene Tinagli, Member of the Committee on Public and Private Employment and on the Committee on Infancy and Childhood, Chamber of Deputies, Italy Bruno Tobback, Member, Flemish Parliament Lidija Topic, Ambassador, Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU Nuno Torres, Director General of National Defence Policy, Ministry of National Defence, Portugal Žiga Turk, Professor, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, Slovenia Ann Tutwiler, Director General, Biodiversity International, Italy Lembit Uibo, Permanent Representative to the PSC, Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU Frédéric Vallier, Secretary General, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Franciskus van Daele, Chef de Cabinet de Sa Majesté le Roi, Belgian Royal Palace Joost Van Iersel, President, Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Luk Van Langenhove, Director, UN University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies Frank Vandenbroucke, Professor, University of Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Androulla Vassiliou, Former EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, Sport, Media and Youth; and Trustee of Friends of Europe Wouter Verschelden, Founder & publisher, NewsMonkey Daniela Vincenti, Editor in Chief, EurActiv.com Graham Watson, President, European Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) Katherine Watson, Director, European Cultural Foundation (ECF), The Netherlands Walter Weigel, Vice-President, Huawei Technologies, European Research Institute (ERI) Stefani Weiss, Director, Brussels Office, Bertelsmann Stiftung Nicholas Whyte, Director, APCO Worldwide Nick Witney, Co-Director of the European Power programme, European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), UK Dirk Wouters, Ambassador, Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU Boris Zala, MEP, Committee on Foreign Affairs

71 The State of Europe Winter ANNEX II List of participants - Observers Eero Ailio, Deputy Head of Unit, Retail markets; Coal & Oil, European Commission, Directorate General for Energy Amadeu Altafaj, Permanent Representative to the EU, Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the EU Paul Ames, Freelance Journalist, Portugal Susanna Baizou, Administrator and Speechwriter to the President of Group III, ACP & Development, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), General Secretariat Rita Balogh, Public Policy Senior Analyst, Google Michel Bande, Senior Executive Vice President, Solvay Martin Banks, Freelance journalist Giulio Barbolani di Montauto, Senior Administrator, European Space Agency (ESA), Liaison Office with the EU Alfred Becquaert, Administrator, Fimacon Yannik Bendel, EU Policy Officer, Transparency International EU Office, Liaison Office to the EU Jan-Willem Blankert, Independent analyst, Asia and Europe, Netherlands Valérie Boels, Adviser, Belgian Royal Palace Julie Bolle, Editorial Coordinator, Europe s World Jean-Michel Bos, Chief Editor, EuranetPlus News Agency Alan Bowman, Deputy Head of Mission, Mission of Canada to the EU Andrew Bradley, Director, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Office of Internation IDEA to the EU Roger Braem, Former Founder, Fimacon Elina Branta, Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Economics, Latvia Susana Calsamiglia-Mendlewicz, Policy Analyst, Resource Efficiency, Sustainability and Health, European Commission, Joint Research Centre Francesco Cardarelli, Cameraman, Sky TV Italia Emmanuel Chantelot, Head of International Government Relations and Public Affairs, Shire Marie Claerbout, Senior Analyst European Affairs, ENGIE Fatma Zehra Çolak, Volunteer, Kimse Yok Mu,Turkey Dimitri Corpakis, Head of Unit, Spreading excellence and widening participation, European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation Marcel Daniels, Vice-President Government Affairs & Policy Europe & Canada, Merck Serono Stanislav Daskalov, Head of the Brussels Liaison Office, Regional Cooperation Council Humbert de Biolley, Deputy Head of the Liaison Office, Council of Europe, Liaison Office to the EU Julia De Clerck-Sachsse, Communication Adviser and Speechwriter, European External Action Service (EEAS) Inès de Lalande, Consultant, Interel Group Stijn De Smet, Cameraman, Euronews Olivier De Wulf, Senior Manager, EU Affairs, ENGIE Andrea Del Mercato, General Manager, Venice Biennale, Italy Lorraine Diguer, Counsellor and Head of Political Section, Mission of Canada to the EU Mark Dober, Managing Director, Dober Partners Vladimir Dobrovolskiy, Bureau Chief, Ria Novosti New Agency Bie Draulans, Marketing Manager Benelux, Abbott Vascular Manon Dufour, Head of Office, Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G) Dimitri Duong, Welcome Office Manager ASEAN, Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) Sara Elnusairi, Public Affairs Manager, Google Agustin Escardino Malva, Deputy Head of Unit, Renewable Energy Sources, European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation Marion Excoffier, EU Policy Officer, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Loic Frerejouand, Senior Director, Public Policy & Communication, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, France

72 72 Friends of Europe Future Europe David Garrahy, Head of Policy & Advocacy, European Youth Forum (YFJ) Alec Garrett, Advisor European Governmental Affairs, OMV Aktiengesellschaft Quentin Genard, Researcher, Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G) François Gilson, Marketing Manager, Google Andreu Ginestet, Founder, Seiltänzer, Germany Anna González Montes, Policy Adviser, Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the EU Andrej Grebenc, Advisor, Future and emergent technologies, Energy, European Commission, Research Executive Agency (REA) Monica Hargis, Programme Manager, Strategy Analytics Patrick Janssens, Financial Director, Friends of Europe Olavi Jimenez Quijano, Assistant, Economic Affairs, Mission of Mexico to the EU Ulrich Jocheim, Administrator, European Parliament Johannes Jung, Head of the Representation, Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the EU Kai Kaarelson, Head of the Foreign Policy Department, Office of the President, Estonia Gökçe Kalayci, Business Development Director, ICF Mostra Ekaterina Karaseva, Senior Expert of EU Affairs Division, Gazprom, Representative Office in Belgium Rebecca Keiser, Head, Office of International Science and Engineering, National Science Foundation,United States of America Aris Kokkinos, Journalist, eurobole.com Maria Koleva, Special Correspondent, Brussels, New Bulgarian Media Group Holding (NBMG), Bulgaria Efi Koutsokosta, Journalist, Euronews Bolesta Krzysztof, Special Adviser, Ministry of the Environment, Poland Raido Laht, Journalist, Estonian Television, Estonia Eric Lalmand, Staff Photographer, Belga News Agency Harald Langer, Senior European Policy Consultant, Covington & Burling Karel Lannoo, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) Marc Laplasse, Attaché, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Geert Laporte, Deputy Director, European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) Ami Latona, Second Secretary, Mission of Australia to the EU Olivier Le Bussy, Journalist, EU Affairs, La Libre Belgique Thomas Legge, Senior Associate, European Climate Foundation Ann Leibundgut, Attaché, Mission of Switzerland to the EU Vincent Lequeux, Web & Video Journalist, Toute l Europe, France Patrice Liauzu, Senior Policy Officer, European Investment Bank (EIB) Dong Liu, Correspondent, People s Daily Vivian Loonela, Head of Sector, Data Protection, International, European Commission, Directorate General for Justice and Consumers Epp Maaten, Adviser on the Information Society, Foreign Policy Department, Office of the President, Estonia Alastair Macdonald, Bureau Chief, Thomson Reuters Naim Mandri, First Secretary, Mission of Albania to the EU Tiphaine Milliez, Chargée de mission, Relations with think tanks, Permanent Representation of France to the EU Sebastian Moffett, Independent Journalist Claus Müller, Director, Hamburg, Hanse Office Philomena Murray, Professor, University of Melbourne, School of Social and Political Sciences, Australia Amaury Neve de Mevergnies, Coordinator for relations with the Council, European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation Kohei Noda, Financial Attache, Mission of Japan to the EU Burkhard Ober, Head of Brussels EU Affairs Office, Allianz

73 The State of Europe Winter Katrijn Otten, Director Policy and Government Relations, Cargill Europe Alfredo Panarella, Economic Adviser, Competitiveness, investment and growth, Financial Sector, European Council, Cabinet of the President Walter Pauli, Journalist, Knack Magazine Jernej Pavlič, Head of the Cabinet of Alenka Bratušek, National Assembly, Slovenia, Commission for Public Finance Control, Slovenia Piret Pert, Head, Public Relations Department, Office of the President, Estonia Caessa Pierre, Program Manager at the Google Cultural Institute, Google, France Emil Pietras, Head of Section, Strategic Analysis, Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU Arno Pjatkins, Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Economics, Latvia Mia Popović, External Relations Manager, Delta Holding, Serbia Wilfried Potums, Cameraman, VRT Benjamin Preisler, Civil-Military Analyst North Africa, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Teresa Presas, Managing Director, Steps Management Ignatius Priambodo, Second Secretary, Mission of Indonesia to the EU Priscila Quaini, Public Affairs Analyst, APEX-Brasil Conrad Rein, Policy Officer, European Commission, Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development Eberhard Rhein, Honorary Trustee, Friends of Europe Alice Richard, Member of Cabinet (Health, food safety, External relations, European neighbourhood policy, enlargement negotiations, aid), European Commission, Cabinet of EU First Vice-President Frans Timmermans Simona Rocchi, Legal Advisor, C3 Agency, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Headquarters (HQ) Sander Roelandt, Parliamentary Assistant to Sander Loones, European Parliament Carlos Romero Dupla, Counsellor, Telecommunications and Audiovisual, Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU Maksim Roskin, Junior Programme Manager, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Brussels Office Charalambos Rossides, Press and Communication Manager, Hellenic Parliament,Greece Stéphanie Roy, Policy Adviser, Mission of New Zealand to the EU Andrzej Rudka, Adviser to the Deputy Director General, European Commission, Directorate General for Internal Market, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Hatem Sakly, Reporter, Anadolu Agency, Brussels Office Azize Sargin, Counsellor, Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the EU Ingrid Schulerud, Deputy Head of Mission, Mission of Norway to the EU Hans Schwab, Managing Director, Iulia Invest My-Van Schwab, Managing Director, Iulia Invest Fabrice Serodes, Deputy Director, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, Germany Ludmila Silva, Managing Director Europe, Institute for Scientific Advancement of the South (ISAS) Nadja Skaljic, Senior Policy Advisor, European Parliament Elía Sosa, Counsellor, Political Affairs, Mission of Mexico to the EU Owen Stafford, Freelance Journalist Rainer Steffens, Head of Office, Representation of the State North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU Tim Stegemann, Trainee, Representation of the Region of Lower Saxony to the EU Michael Swann, Deputy Head of Division, Concepts, Capabilities, Lessons and Training, European External Action Service (EEAS), European Security and Defence College Dariusz Szulc, Policy Officer, European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) Hendrik Theunissen, Deputy Head of Cabinet for External Affairs, Office of the Minister-President, Flanders Patrick Tillieux, Director, Pambridge Johannes Tralla, Journalist, Estonian Television Lucas Tripoteau, Assistant producer, France Télévisions

74 74 Friends of Europe Future Europe Rein Vaabel, Senior Aide-de-Camp to the President, Office of the President, Estonia Emil Valdelin, Public Policy Manager, EMEA, Facebook Ward van der Elst, Sound Engineer, VRT Guy Vanhaeverbeke, Honorary Secretary General & Member of the Board, Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) Paul van Hoof, European Government Affairs Director, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Hubert Van Humbeeck, Senior Writer, Knack Magazine Johan Van Regemorter, Head of Government & Public Affairs Europe, Solvay Stephane Vandam, Public Health Officer, World Health Organization (WHO), Representation to the EU Robert F. Vandenplas, Director, European Society for Engineers and Industrialists Saskia Vanderstichele, Photographer, Knack Magazine Kirsten Vardy, Brussels Fellow, Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) Danièle Weber, Deputy Chief Editor, EuranetPlus News Agency Rhys Williams, Communications Officer, European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) Catherine Williams, Public Affairs Associate, EU Public Policy, Google Sándor Zsíros, Journalist, Euronews