In the context of the REWEU project, ((Re)uniting the East and West: Reflections on the 2004 EU enlargement) the purpose of this event is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement and draw lessons on its historical significance and ongoing impact in the EU. In particular, this event focuses on the perspective of Belgian decision-makers and population in an effort to reflect on their opinions about the ‘big bang enlargement.’ To this end, the event aims at bringing together Belgian decision-makers active at the time, researchers, journalists, students, civil society, and current policymakers from the European Commission and the Member States.
Ultimately, the goal is to gather insights and deepen the understanding of the 2004 enlargement process, especially at a time when Eastward enlargement is again a critical topic on the European agenda.

Opening remarks: Pol De Witte, Director-General, Egmont Institute

Keynote: Louis Michel, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs (1999–2004)

Panel 1

Building Memories: Belgium and the EU Big Bang Enlargement

The first panel will be devoted to a reflection on the perspectives of Belgian decision-makers and public opinion about the 2004 enlargement. To that end, it will discuss different standpoints with civil society and students.

• Emmeline Peeters, Master Student, UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles: presentation of the work “The Speech of President von der Leyen at the European Parliament formal sitting on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement”
• Maria Gargano, Junior Researcher, Egmont Institute: presentation of the research paper “Belgium’s Take on EU Big Bang Enlargement: More Europeans means More Europe”
• Jan Balliauw, Journalist, VRT

Moderator: Samuel Defacqz, Lecturer, UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles

Panel 2

Shaping Future Enlargements: EU and Member States’ takes

The second panel will adopt a future-oriented outlook on the Eastward enlargement. The discussion among policymakers from the EU and the Member States will be centred on examining whether the hopes and concerns expressed about the 2004 enlargement have persisted or changed and how that experience impacted into the current debate on enlargement.

• Christophe de Bassompierre, Director and Minister Plenipotentiary, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Diana Jablonska, Head of Unit C.1 (Georgia, Moldova, Economic Investment Plan), DG NEAR, European Commission
• Dr Bartlomiej Gajos, Senior Research Fellow, Mieroszewski Centre

Moderator: Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director of the European Affairs Programme, Egmont Institute

Closing Remarks 

Please note that due to the limited capacity of the venue your participation is subject to confirmation.