Paving the way for a meaningful EU Year of Youth 2022
As the pandemic eases, the EU has decided to dedicate 2022 to young people. But this opportunity should not aim at recycling policies and interventions that have not worked pre-pandemic […]
European Affairs
Located in Brussels at the heart of EU political decision-making, the European Affairs Programme provides in-depth as well as policy-oriented analyses on a wide range of themes of relevance to EU and Belgian policy makers. Topics that are – or ought to be – central to the EU policy debate are given special attention. Aside from a constant focus on institutional matters, various substantive EU policies dominate the Programme’s research agenda, such as the Green Deal, the digital agenda, the consolidation of an inclusive social model, the protection of people and the defence of rights, and the promotion of Europe’s interests in the world.
The Programme also deals extensively and in a forward-looking way with the impact of the multiple crises the EU has had to address over the last decade. They all had an impact on its policies, its decision-making processes, and more generally its architecture, which is proof of the resilience of the European project.
With the aim of reaching the broadest audience possible, the European Affairs Programme seeks to share its expertise and stimulate the debate through a variety of publications as well as by organizing round tables, expert-seminars, and conferences.
Publications
Perspectives on the future of Europe from the centre of European societies
Divisions among member states, although a constant feature of EU policymaking, have become even more visible after a decade of consecutive crises. At the same time the COVID-19 pandemic, which […]
Commentaries
Putin’s critical raw materials are a threat to EU economic security
As Russia gets ready to restrict the export of critical raw materials, the EU’s supply vulnerability will become evident. Possible countermeasures are well understood, but more urgency is required to […]
The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement after Ukraine’s EU membership application: still fit for purpose
In an extraordinary session of the European Parliament on 1 March 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested from a bunker in Kyiv, while Russian missiles bombarded Ukraine, the EU to […]
Conference on the Future of Europe: a glimpse into the future of participatory democracy?
The Conference on the Future of Europe had its official start on 9 May 2021 and the process has brought together citizens and politicians in the Conference plenary with the […]
External publications
The Commission proposal on reforming the Generalised Scheme of Tariff Preferences: analysis of human rights incentives and conditionalities
This study looks at the European Commission’s proposal for a new GSP Regulation from human rights and sustainable development perspectives. It focuses on proposed changes to the conditionality provisions with […]