Friends of Europe

🎙 We were delighted to welcome Sandro Gozi, MEP and Team Europe candidate of the European Democrats, for an engaging and insightful conversation earlier this week. This event was the first of a series organised with Debating Europe providing an opportunity to stakeholders from the private, public and civil society sectors to engage in forward-looking conversations about what the next EU leadership should focus their mandate on. We believe it should be on delivering a Renewed Social Contract, which rethinks the ways in which citizens, the private sector, civil society and public institutions interact for public good. This event provided an opportunity to tackle some of the themes we believe should be at the heart of our of a Renewed Social Contract for a brighter future for Europe. Indeed, forged in an era of post-war European integration, Europe’s 20th-century social contract is no longer fit to face today’s mounting challenges. It is only by shifting our mindsets and behaviours from a 1950's to 2050's thinking that our institutions will be able to keep pace with the societies they are meant to serve. ➡ Addressing the issue of democratic engagement, Sandro Gozi underscored the importance of fostering greater citizen participation and trust in democracy. He advocated for innovative approaches, and proposed reforms in EU decision-making, including transitioning from veto-based to majority voting mechanisms. ❝My proposal is to get rid of the veto, decide everything by majority in the Council and decide everything between the Council and the Parliament.❞ ➡ In addressing the urgent need for economic recovery and sustainability, Gozi outlined concrete measures, emphasising the importance of making the EU Recovery Plan a permanent fixture to ensure no one is left behind, and prioritising the EU Green Deal for an inclusive and sustainable economic transition. ❝We need to provide the EU with new resources.❞ ➡ The European Democrats lead candidate highlighted the necessity of bridging the digital divide and maximising digital opportunities for all European citizens and businesses. He also emphasised the need for increased private and public investment to unlock Europe's digital potential and stimulate economic growth. ➡ Sharing his vision for the future of EU defence and security policy, Gozi stressed the importance of a European defence strategy that complements NATO, emphasising strategic partnerships while advocating for a cohesive defence approach for the EU. Concluding his remarks on European security and defence, Gozi warned against the threat posed by Russia. ❝If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will not stop in Ukraine.❞ The discussion clearly highlighted the need for a Renewed Social Contract as captured by Friends of Europe in the form of "10 policy choices" ➡ Read our report: https://bit.ly/RSC10PC ↪ Revisit the event here: https://bit.ly/3y1B0Cf #RenewedSocialContract #Voices4Choices

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has been monitoring and reporting the crimes being perpetrated against reporters in Gaza. Since the beginning of the war there, at least 100 journalists have died, 22 in the course of their work. Jonathan Dagher is head of the Middle East Desk at Reporters Without Borders. In this Policy Voices episode, he speaks to host Catarina Vila Nova about the unfolding situation and its broader implications for journalism. ⤵️ Listen to the full episode on:      Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e86HsecP  Apple podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eWzSip3c  YouTube Music: https://lnkd.in/eVyFcgtV #PolicyVoices #MediaFreedom #IndependentPress

⏳ Next Week | May 15 | 17.00 CEST ⏳ Join us for the second conversation of a series organised by Friends of Europe and Debating Europe, in the lead-up to the European elections, as we welcome Nicolas Schmit, the common candidate from the Party of European Socialists (PES) for the Presidency of the European Commission. On the agenda: 🔹 Democratic engagement 🔹 Economic recovery and sustainability 🔹 Digital transition 🔹 EU security and defence ...and more! This event is organised in partnership with The European Commission, Fondazione Cariplo, Google and ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS. ➡️ Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/edBzwdJH #Voices4Choices #InConversationWith #RenewedSocialContract

📍 22 May | We are delighted to welcome Monica Shaw, Senior Vice President of European Markets at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), to discuss the importance of innovation in the development of sustainable healthcare systems in the EU. ⁠ The future health of the EU’s citizens depends on having access to innovation at the right time and in the right place. This #CriticalThinkingLive will explore the science that is driving the future of healthcare innovation and the policy conditions that will ensure European citizens enjoy the benefits of a globally competitive region. ➡ Learn more about the event here: https://bit.ly/3UvgDpL #EU4Health #Europe2024 #SustainableHealthcare

❝These two simultaneous [EU and NATO] enlargements proved decisive for the shape of the European security architecture moving on from the Cold War division of the continent.❞ 20 years on, this Critical Thinking article charts the path of EU and NATO enlargement, twin developments that have irrevocably altered the geopolitical arena in Europe. Examining what could have been, the article asks whether Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Putin’s increasingly repressive regime at home could’ve been avoided, or whether it was always an inevitability, regardless of NATO and EU actions. ⤵️ Read the full article, by Friends of Europe Senior Fellow for Peace, Jamie Shea, below. #CriticalThinking #EUEnlargement #Voices4Choices

🇪🇺 Happy #EuropeDay! As Europe prepares to head to the polls to elect a new European Parliament one month from now, and for a new European Commission mandate to take over thereafter, we believe the moment is ripe to radically rethink the ways in which citizens, the private sector, civil society and public institutions interact. In the lead-up to the European elections, Friends of Europe will place particular focus on the critical importance of a Renewed Social Contract in guiding Europe towards a more inclusive, fair and sustainable future that truly centres around its citizens. Together, let’s seize this opportunity transform our societies and be ready for a future of Europe with everyone on board. ⤵ Learn more about our work below. #RenewedSocialContract #Voices4Choices #EUElections2024 Debating Europe

❝On Europe day, let us not only celebrate our achievements but also reaffirm our commitment to defending the values and freedoms we cherish.❞ 🇪🇺 At Friends of Europe, we believe enlargement has been and remains one of the EU’s most effective foreign policy tools to stabilise its strategic environment, and member states must seize the geopolitical moment and give priority to bringing Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and all the Western Balkans countries into the Union. As we celebrate Europe Day and look toward the new European mandate, we are reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the EU’s ‘Big Bang’ enlargement with a mini-series offering distinct perspectives on this milestone. ➡ Tomas Petricek, Senior Non-resident Fellow at the Institute of International Relations, Prague, Director of the Progressive Analytical Centre and EYL40 European Young Leaders, strikes a hopeful tone. ❝This historic moment wasn't just about a single market, cohesion funds, or freedom of travelling; it was about tearing down the barriers that had separated us Europeans for far too long.❞ Though the Union appears to be facing multi-faceted challenges both internally and externally, Petříček recalls the spirit of determination that preceded enlargement, and endeavours to cultivate that same spirit of hope in the face of present challenges. ➡ Celebrating Latvia’s many achievements since accession, Dr. Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia and EYL40 European Young Leaders, stands in solidarity with those in aspiring countries such as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Reasserting European support of Ukraine, Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasises the need to stand firm against threats to democracy and sovereignty, values which lie at the core of the European project. ⬇️ To read these reflections in full, follow the link below. #EuropeDay #EuropeanEnlargement #Voices4Choices 

🌟 As we celebrate Europe Day, Friends of Europe founder and trustee Giles Merritt’s words remind us of the change and reform necessary to revitalise the European project. While new legislation is welcome, however, it risks causing more harm than good if pre-existing laws and regulations are merely disregarded without critical engagement. This echoes Friends of Europe’s Renewed Social Contract, emphasising the need for the EU to change and evolve in tandem with the priorities of citizens across the continent. Particularly, it underlines the need for improved coherence of the European institutions to ensure efficient and optimised policymaking. ➡️ Find out more here: https://bit.ly/RSC10PC #RenewedSocialContract #EuropeDay #Europe2024 #Voices4Choices

🇪🇺 As the European elections approach, much of Europe is growing evermore preoccupied with what the next EU mandate will look like and how it will shape the future of Europe. This Europe Day, however, we are casting our minds back and reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the EU’s ‘Big Bang’ enlargement. Our mini-series will offer four distinct reflections on this significant milestone, which sparked hopes of a peaceful and democratic future for so many at the time.   ➡ Klen Jäärats, Executive Director of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), former director for EU Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister of Estonia and EYL40, gives an illuminating insight into his experience as a child of the Cold War. While Jäärats celebrates the way in which Estonia has taken advantage of EU membership, he cautions against growing complacent. ❝We must ensure that our celebrations of today do not become our commemorations of tomorrow.❞ ➡ Reflecting on what EU accession meant to her, Ringaile Trakymaite, Senior Programme Expert at Friends of Europe, recalls contrasting memories of guarding the Lithuanian Parliament from Soviet troops and celebrating Lithuania’s welcome back to Europe in 2004. Trakymaitė wishes for a similar moment of hope, peace and unity for the people of Ukraine, Moldova and the countries of the Western Balkans. ❝I have no slightest doubt that we all are equally European sharing our joint past and our common future.❞  ⤵ To read these reflections in full, follow the link below.   #EuropeDay #EuropeanEnlargement #Voices4Choices #EYL40

❓ Why does our "Strengthening the EU's sustainable finance agenda" report matter? ➡️ We know that we will need additional annual investments of more than €620bn to meet the objectives of the Green Deal and the REPowerEU Agenda, while further annual investments of €92bn will be needed to reach the EU’s green industrial targets. This means that activities in the financial sector will have a crucial role in the transition towards a climate-resilient and net-zero future. In our report, we make three recommendations for a fair and competitive transition. Friends of Europe's Davide Sofia, sets out our proposals for the next EU mandate: 1️⃣ Promote the re-examination of competitiveness and sustainability by policymakers; 2️⃣ Adjust the EU governance framework of the sustainable finance agenda; and 3️⃣ Place greater emphasis on the socio-economic aspect of the net-zero transition. ↪️ Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/evSkd3dB #SustainableFinance #TwinTransition #Europe2024 #FutureOfEurope #RenewedSocialContract Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou Laurent Bontoux Ben Caldecott Ciarán Cuffe Brendan Curran Sandrine Dixson-Declève James Hooton Burçak İnel Ramona Liberoff Signe Andreasen Lysgaard Nick Mabey Dana Marekova Ricardo Mourinho Felix Rachel Owens Sébastien Paquot Martin Porter Fabiola Schneider Livio Stracca Julia Symon Paul Tang Jane Thostrup Jagd Maria van der Heide Roeland Van der Stappen Ursula Woodburn Jurei Yada