Invitation

From: Guifré Margarit i Contel <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2024 7:11 PM
To: Kadri Laube <[email protected]>; Joosep Tiks <[email protected]>
Cc: Matthias Bauer <[email protected]>
Subject: Invitation to the online roundtable: "Towards a Forward-looking Agenda for Europe’s Single Market: How to Navigate New Political Realities in the EU"

Please forward this email to Minister Tiit Riisalo

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Dear Minister Riisalo,

It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of Dr. Matthias Bauer, Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, invite you to participate in a roundtable discussion titled "Towards a Forward-looking Agenda for Europe’s Single Market: How to Navigate New Political Realities in the EU".

This online roundtable is scheduled for June 13, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m CET.

The purpose of this roundtable is to foster a deeper understanding between small and large, as well as economically more and less developed EU Member States, regarding renewed ambitions for EU competitiveness and adjustments to the paradigm of Strategic Autonomy. Please find below a more detailed outline of the event.

Your insights and expertise would be invaluable to this discussion, and I sincerely hope you will be able to join us. The venue for this roundtable will be announced shortly.

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. Should you require any further information or have specific needs regarding your participation, do not hesitate to contact me directly.

I look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to what promises to be a constructive discussion.

With best regards,

Guifré Margarit i Contel

European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE)

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Title:

Towards a Forward-looking Agenda for Europe’s Single Market: 

How to Navigate New Political Realities in the EU

Outline: 

Strategic Autonomy as a defensive strategy for EU trade and internal market policy will inadvertently send a counterproductive message on a global scale. Rather than isolating itself, the EU should acknowledge and leverage the inevitable and beneficial economic and interdependencies, enhancing its connections with allies and partners to build stronger, mutually beneficial relationships. Considering the outcome of the next EU elections, this high-level roundtable will delve into mercantilist political ambitions for the EU and discuss the critical need to significantly enhance the Single Market, thereby improving the EU's international trade and innovation competitiveness.

As Europe approaches European Parliament elections on June 9, 2024, with the potential rise of populist political parties, there are growing concerns about the continent adopting a more protectionist economic policy. This shift is underscored by President Emmanuel Macron's recent warning about Europe's vulnerability to geopolitical threats, where he advocated for a more interventionist approach in EU trade and industrial policy.

The Single Market remains a cornerstone for deepening economic and political ties within Europe, highlighting the importance for policymakers to engage in increased regulatory cooperation internally and with non-EU countries. Reinforced cooperation is essential for effectively addressing challenges in innovation, energy, supply chains, and technology. 

Under the Belgian EU Council Presidency, enhanced cooperation with like-minded partners, including the US and OECD countries, is a priority. The possible rise of right- and left-wing influence in Brussels and Member State capitals could complicate or redirect these efforts. 

This roundtable will discuss mercantilist political ambitions for Europe and address the urgency of revitalising the Single Market to significantly strengthen EU economies, especially as Finland and 14 other small and mid-sized EU Member States advocate for its reinforcement to sustain their long-term competitiveness in the future. 

We will convene high-level representatives from Member States’ Permanent Representations to the EU, national ministries, and the European Commission. The discussion will focus on the Single Market’s critical role in supporting the EU's ambitions for competitiveness in international markets, considering the new political realities after the EU elections. 

Guiding Questions:

How could the EU election results influence Europe's trade and industrial policies, particularly concerning protectionism and strategic autonomy?

In light of President Macron's remarks on the need for more interventionist economic policies, how can the EU safeguard trade and investment with global allies?

What message would an increasingly protectionist EU economic policy agenda send to the rest of the world?

Considering potential political shifts, how can the EU improve its competitiveness and security without overly restrictive trade and technology policies?

How can bold initiatives be shaped to support a more integrated European economy and combat calls for protectionism?

How can the EU and individual Member States address regulatory disparities to foster a more cohesive internal market amid rising appetite for protectionism?

Panellists and Moderator: 

The roundtable will feature two EU Ambassadors to discuss EU policy and Single Market integration. 

Placeholder speakers (tbd):

David Brozina, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the EU (confirmed)

Torbjörn Haak, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the EU (confirmed)

The discussion will be moderated by Dr Matthias Bauer, Director at the European Centre for International Political Economy, ECIPE. At the outset of the roundtable, Dr Bauer will provide a brief overview of the discussion on strategic autonomy, setting the stage for a forward-looking dialogue on EU Single Market, trade and industrial policies.

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