PANEL A: Will US-EU Relations Be Great Again? 

Security is certainly the most important challenge for Europe as European defense systems are vulnerable in the wake of multiple physical and digital security breaches. The situation is even more complicated due to Donald Trump´s eurosceptic perspective and often unpredictable agenda. Authorities are consistently having to address the rising levels of terrorism, ISIS, disinformation and the migration crises and despite the ceasefire in Ukraine, Russian aggression continues to erupt throughout the eastern region.

What is the future for the Atlantic Alliance? How will the new European defense system look like? What would it mean for security if the EU were to rely less on the US?

PANEL B: The Union Divided: Quo Vadis, Europe?

The EU is currently facing many important challenges. Not only is  the East-West division resurfacing, but also the illiberal tendencies have intensified, particularly in Poland and Hungary. For the first time since the end of the Second World War, nationalist populist parties have been close to victory in the Western European elections over the last two years. In Central and Eastern Europe, the inhabitants are entertaining the idea of ​​changing their political regimes and are looking for strong and charismatic “leaders”.

How dangerous is Separatism, Nationalism and Populism? What is the future of liberal constitutional democracy in Europe? Is there a chance that Brexit will inspire more countries to leave the EU?

PANEL C: Life after Brexit and the Future of the Eurozone

High levels of uncertainty still revolve around Brexit. The position of the EU seems a little clearer than the British one. Meanwhile, internal difficulties continue within the eurozone, even though economic growth has returned. There are still strong imbalances, high indebtedness and a weak banking sector in some states. Progress is being stifled by politicians persistently acting within national interests, which prevent solutions that would benefit the eurozone as a whole.

How could the danger of growing hostilities and misunderstandings in the negotiation of Brexit be avoided? What would a so-called ‘hard Brexit’ mean for the UK and the EU? Is Brexit really an incentive for further eurozone integration? How will this proceed? Is membership mandatory?