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European policy and european integration

European Policy and European Integration

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We need to imagine and plan a united Europe as if it were possible to create one immediately every day, and thus overcome the inertia of eternal laggards. “If what is possible really is possible, we can even tackle it today.

Ursula Hirschmann, architect and pioneer of today’s free and united Europe

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At a glance

  • The European Union is under strong pressure due to global climate change, increasing systemic confrontation, the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, domestic policy crises as well as the rise of Eurosceptic parties.
  • Recent crises have, however, shown that European solutions lead to a stronger Union than national solo efforts. Only common approaches promote the competitiveness and prosperity of all European states.
  • As a European foundation, we are committed to a strong, democratic, effective, citizen-oriented and sustainable Europe, that speaks to the world with one voice.
  • To this end, we network relevant stakeholders, develop recommendations for action and, via our European Office in Brussels, we influence the development of the integration process and EU policy.

 

Content

1. Challenges facing the European Union

2. Creating a more resilient, future-proof and effective Europe

3. Our offers and projects on the topic

4. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic


 

Europe has undergone many crises in recent years. This has not only led to Europe, and hence Germany, having to face new challenges; rather, various fault lines have become visible that permeate Europe politically. Awareness of the problem has increased within the European Union (EU), but this does not go hand in hand with a strengthened community: Fundamental values and principles, on which the Union is built, are being called into question. What is more, those sceptical of the Union at the political fringes are making their voices heard in some member states.

 

Challenges facing the European Union: War, climate change, system competition

The European Union is confronted with multiple challenges in the context of geopolitical developments: From the impact of climate change, the ongoing Corona crisis, Russia’s war of aggression against the Ukraine to new threat scenarios, including from China, and an intensified great power competition, right through to electoral successes of Eurosceptic and anti-European parties.

The southern member states in particular are characterised by economic weakness, enormous state debt and the repercussions of the Corona crisis. Brexit will readjust the relationship with the United Kingdom – many questions have not yet been fully resolved. Enlargement policy has been put to the test. The European Neighbourhood Policy faces new challenges both in the East and in the South.

With the EU Green Deal as a growth and future strategy for the transition to a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, Europe is to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Trust in European institutions is on the rise, despite or perhaps especially in light of a new geopolitical order. At the same time, this is accompanied by growing expectations towards the EU, which are not always based on a realistic foundation. Nevertheless, in light of these crises, the EU is proving its ability to act and its power of attraction.

Precisely the numerous crises of the recent past have shown that joint European solutions lead to a stronger Union than national approaches alone. In many policy areas, the individual member states are so closely interrelated and interconnected that only a common approach can promote the competitiveness and prosperity of all European states as a whole. That is why the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is committed to European exchange via numerous policy fields and at different levels.

 

Creating a more resilient, future-proof and effective Europe: We are making our contribution to this

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is tackling these challenges – based on its three core themes: Innovation, security as well as representation and participation. Analyses and publications, expert discussions, networking of stakeholders, conferences and information events aim to discuss causes, explore potential and demonstrate concrete recommendations for action. There are three central considerations underlying this:

Europe needs to increase the confidence of its citizens, since the European integration process can only be successful with their support. The European institutions need to therefore act in a way that is more democratic, transparent, and citizen-oriented.

The transfer of competences is the basis of the discussion, both at national level – provided it is reasonable with a view to the principle of subsidiarity – and in the context of harmonisation at European level.

Ultimately, Europe will only be able to continue to exert influence in a globalised world if it speaks with one voice on the international stage. The European economic, foreign, security, defence, climate, energy and development policies must therefore be strategically rethought and, where necessary, enriched with new instruments.

Through dialogue and by working across national borders, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung advocates a more resilient and forward-looking Europe with greater capacity to act. After all, the EU has long since become a community of values and destiny that represents great added value for all peoples of Europe.


Our offers and projects on the topic

International offices and programmes

The commitment to democracy, rule of law, freedom and social market economy can only be sustainable if it is approached internationally. That is why the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung maintains numerous offices in different countries of operation in Europe.

Country Offices and Regional Programmes

 

With more than 30 offices in European states, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung pursues three main goals:

  • improving political framework conditions in the countries of operation and resolving problems in line with the foundation’s goals and values;
  • promoting the transfer of knowledge between Germany and the countries of operation;
  • creating public forums for the representation of German political and economic interests.

 

You can find an overview with all offices on our worldwide map

European Offices

 

Particularly noteworthy in our European work abroad are our two European offices.

The European Office Brussels has been supporting the European Union’s development since 1978. What is more, it supervises projects in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The goal is to positively influence the European integration process in the spirit of Konrad Adenauer, with EU policy being particularly important for us in this regard. The European Office sees itself as a forum for Christian Democratic interests. It primarily aims to heighten understanding of basic motives behind the unification process.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Multinational Development Policy Dialogue in Brussels shapes development policy dialogue with the European Union and NATO. In doing so, it contributes the experience and expertise of KAS’ global project work as well as the interests of German development policy to the consultation process of the European Union.

 

Learn more about the European Office Brussels

Learn more about Multinational Development Policy Dialogue


 

Event series

European policy and European integration are important topics on which the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung offers many different events. Particular emphasis should be placed on our annual conferences on security policy issues in Europe, as well as the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe.

Adenauer Conference

 

In the framework of the Adenauer Conference, high-ranking experts from politics, science, think tanks, the military and business discuss current security policy challenges for Germany, Europe, and transatlantic relations.

 

Learn more about the Adenauer Conference

Speech on Europe

 

The Speech on Europe is the annual statement by the highest representatives of Europe: The President of the Council of the European Union, the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission takes it in turns to present their positions on the idea and state of Europe. The format is a cooperation of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa and the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin.

 

Learn more about the Speech on Europe

GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum

 

The GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum has established itself as a leading event in the area of security and international relations in the Central and Eastern European states. The strategic conference primarily discusses security policy issues and questions surrounding the challenges facing a common European and foreign policy.

 

Learn more about the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum


 

Election analyses and polls

Our election analyses on European elections and our current polls on the European People’s Party (EPP) provide an extensive overview of the state of the EPP party family, and discuss the reasons behind voter migration as well as the performance of the German parties in elections to the European Parliament.

EPP Party Barometer

 

The EPP Party Barometer presents an overview on the current situation of the EPP party family in the EU. Election results and polls from the member states, among other things, are summarised and presented at irregular intervals.

 

Learn more about the EPP Party Barometer

Elections to the European Parliament

 

Since 1979, the European Parliament has been elected every five years in the Member States of the European Union. The election of members of parliament is free, secret and direct. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung analyses the European elections in its own publications and discusses the reasons for voter migration and the election result in Germany.

 

Learn more about election analyses of the European elections since 2004.

Learn more about election results of the European elections since 1979.


 

Scholarship and didactic offers

For doctoral candidates, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung offers the interdisciplinary doctoral programme “Democracies in Europe – Transformations in the Aftermath of 1990”. In our learning laboratory, the Adenauer Campus, teachers and pupils can find teaching material and exercises for the classroom. Our offer is rounded off by various exhibitions and the “Magnet Europe” simulation game, which deals with European migration and integration policy.

Doctoral Programme “Democracies in Europe – Transformations in the Aftermath of 1990”

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V. doctoral programme “Democracies in Europe– Transformations in the Aftermath of 1990” aims to pursue basic questions of historical-political transformation research. Here, it is devoted to the period following the collapse of the Soviet Union and focuses in particular on Eastern and Central European EU countries. It takes account of the fact that the transformations can by no means only be positive, which is also made especially clear to us against the background of current political changes.

The programme is mainly aimed at doctoral candidates in the subjects of contemporary history and political science. Upon admission to the programme, which complies with applicable funding guidelines, students will receive a scholarship from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s doctoral sponsorship programme (1350 euros per month plus 100 euros flat-rate research allowance).

 

Learn more about the doctoral programme

Didactic Teaching Material for the Classroom

 

In the learning laboratory of our Adenauer Campus, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s digital learning platform, you will find various focal points on the topics of Europe with exciting text articles, extensive infographics and many other interactive features, interesting explanatory videos and in-depth tasks for the classroom. We invite teachers, those interested in politics and pupils alike, in order to take a closer look at our interactive and free didactic offers.

 

Learn more about the Adenauer Campus learning lab

Konrad Adenauer and European Integration (Exhibition)

 

The “Konrad Adenauer and European Integration” exhibition demonstrates the success of economic integration with the founding of a European Coal and Steel Community and the signing of the Treaties of Rome during Adenauer’s time. Together with other founding fathers, Adenauer's politics laid the cornerstone for the community’s deepening and the subsequent enlargement to become the European Union. This development up to the Treaty of Lisbon is also part of the exhibition, consisting of nine roll-up panels and can be rented for a maximum of 14 days. For schools, it is recommended from grade 9.

 

Learn more about the exhibition

Your Vote for Europe! (Exhibition)

 

The exhibition “Your Vote for Europe! Elections to the European Parliament” explains the history, tasks, functioning and powers of the European Parliament in interaction with the European institutions. In addition to addressing problematic developments such as populism and nationalism in Europe, the exhibition also highlights important achievements of the European Parliament that help ensure peace, prosperity and security in Europe and across the globe. The exhibition contains nine roll-up panels and can be rented for up to 14 days. For schools, it is recommended from grade 9.

 

Learn more about the exhibition


 

Archive collections on the topic of Europe

In addition to collections on Christian Democracy, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Archive for Christian Democratic Politics has extensive archive material on topics with a European connection. The focus is placed on European and international Christian Democratic organisations as well as German and foreign Christian Democratic politicians and officials.

European and International Christian Democratic Organisations

 

European and Christian Democratic organisations have played an important and eminent role in building a peaceful and united Europe following the end of the Second World War, and are therefore of great interest as a subject of research on post-war history. The archive collections of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Archive for Christian Democratic Politics comprises collections from European associations of Christian Democrats as well as personal papers from leading elected representatives and office-holders of the Union in Germany and Europe. The archival material is available to everyone within the scope of the statutory provisions.

 

Learn more about European and international Christian Democratic organisations

Christian Democrats and European Integration

 

Alongside Robert Schumann, Alcide de Gasperi and Josef Beck, Konrad Adenauer was one of the founders of the European unification process. Christian Democrats played a crucial role in the three European Communities, ECSC, EEC and EURATOM, the European Union and its institutions as well as other European institutions.

Our overview contains an important collection of data on German and foreign Christian Democratic politicians who have decisively shaped the European unification process. The information includes links to biographies and biographical accounts in the odis.de database. You will also find references to personal collections of the Archive for Christian Democratic Politics.

 

Learn more about Christian Democrats and European integration


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Contact

Marcel Schmidt

Marcel Schmidt

Desk Officer for European Affairs and Multilateral Dialogue

marcel.schmidt@kas.de +49 (0) 30 26 996 - 3671
Contact

Felix Müller

Portrait von Felix Müller

European Policy

felix.mueller@kas.de +49 30 26996 3537 +49 151 20563256
Single title
KALUZA+SCHMID Studio
July 21, 2022
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Event reports
KAS / Tina Flemming
May 12, 2023
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Event reports
Juliane Liebers
November 10, 2021
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Publications, events and media contributions on the topic

Our contributions are as wide-ranging and multifaceted as the topic itself!

Whether it's an expert interview, specialist publication or hot debate - click through and you're guaranteed to find the right format for you!

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Publications to the topic

Boyko Borissov IMAGO / NurPhoto

GERB wins early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria once again

Difficult government formation expected

Personen bei der Abstimmung zu den Parlamentswahlen in Litauen 2024 IMAGO / Xinhua

Parliamentary elections in Lithuania

Loss of power and leadership crisis of the Christian Democrats

Demonstration gegen umstrittene Wahlergebnisse Georgien IMAGO / Scanpix

Special election operation in Georgia

A historic election in the South Caucasus is characterised by electoral fraud on a presumably historic scale

The heads of state and government of the EU and the Gulf states for a group photo during the first summit meeting IMAGO / ANP

The first summit between the EU and GCC ends without breakthroughs

Strategic partnership with little results

Election in Georgia: The flag of Georgia and the flag of the EU painted on one wall IMAGO / Le Pictorium

Georgia votes: Calm before the storm?

Georgians will vote for a new parliament on 26 October. It is a directional election, Europe is in demand

Michael Brand MdB Fulda Homepage Michael Brand

"BOSNIEN UND HERZEGOWINA WIRD SIEGEN UND DODIK VERLIEREN!

Interview von Michael Brand MdB CDU für die Tageszeitung Oslobođenje vom 12.08.2024

EU Flaggen Adobe Stock / Shutter2U / Generated with AI

IBAR: The Interim Benchmark Assessment Report in the EU Accession Process

The role and significance of the IBAR as a milestone of European integration for Montenegro and other Southeast European states.

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Europäische Selbstbehauptung

Die Erweiterungspolitik der Europäischen Union benötigt eine neue Dynamik

Stephan Raabe Portrait Sarajevo 4.7.24 3 Stephan Raabe

Neuer Direktor der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Bosnien und Herzegowina

Stephan Raabe hat zum 1. Juli 2024 die Leitung des Büros der Stiftung in Sarajevo übernommen

Person beim Einlegen eines Stimmzettels in die Wahlurne am Wahltag in Frankreich Adobe Stock / bluebeat76 / Generiert mit KI

France ahead of the parliamentary elections

Nail-biter for Macron, France and Europe

De Croo Resigns IMAGO / Photo News

Surprising Election Results in Belgium

Victory of the "lesser evil" confirms Belgium's Shift to the Right

verschiedene Wahlwerbung in Frankreich KAS

After the elections is before the elections

France is in crisis after the European elections

Wahl 2024 in der Europäischen Union. Europawahl Banner Adobe Stocke / Business Pics / Generiert mit KI

Analysis of the European Elections in Germany on 9 June 2024

Report on the preliminary final result, the main voting determinants, voter migration and social structure.

Europa und Griechenland Flagge IMAGO / Wassilis Aswestopoulos

Greece ahead of the European elections

Nea Demokratia favored despite crises, national issues dominate, EU issues such as defense and labor shortage in the background

Wahlurne Zypern Adobe Stocke / niyazz

Cyprus ahead of the European elections

DISY and AKEL in close competition, key issues of natural gas, migration and the war in Ukraine, worrying entry of the far-right ELAM into the European Parliament

Cover Photos Report of the Visits of German MPs 2024

Dialogue Programs with German MPs on the EU-ASEAN as Strategic Partners for Growth and Prosperity

Report of the Visits in Bangkok, Thailand

Europäische Flagge in Brüssel | © Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari Europäisches Parlament / Pietro Naj-Oleari

EPP-Party Barometer May 2024

The Situation of the European People’s Party in the EU

Daniela-Maria Maris und Helmut Kranz Thomas Ehlen / kas.de

"Im Herzen von Europa"

Politische, gesellschaftliche und kulturelle Trends in Großbritannien und Rumänien

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Interview: „Europa kann schneller und besser werden!"

Lena Düpont MdEP über die Gründungsidee Europas, das Entwicklungspotenzial der Europäischen Union und die Schicksalswahl zum Europäischen Parlament

Deutschland und der Europarat

Die Geschichte einer Wertegemeinschaft

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Events on the topic

Nov

2024

Stuttgart

Nach der US-Wahl

Analysen und Erwartungen

Nov

2024

fully booked
St. Peter

China

Weltmacht, Wirtschaftspartner und Rivale

Event Reports on the topic

Event Reports on the topic

Planspiel 1

"United Beyond" - EU Planspiel

XII. Adenauer Konferenz am 15. Mai 2024 KAS/Edgar Nemschok

„A turning point requires determination“

Report on the XII. Adenauer Conference on 15 May 2024

Dr. Elisabeth Hoffberger-Pippan, Michael Gahler MdEP und Vanessa Vohs Thomas Ehlen / kas.de

Was wir in Europa schaffen können

Bedrohten Demokratien beistehen und unsere Freiheit verteidigen / Eine Bilanz des Frankfurter Gesprächs 11. April 2024

bild italien online

Europa vor der Wahl - Italien verstehen

Online Diskussionsreihe zur Europawahl 2024

Pöttering Titel

Europa heute mit Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering

Twistringen Titel

Europa vor der Wahl - Twistringen

Natalija Bock und Irina Riabenka (von links; Foto: Thomas Ehlen) Thomas Ehlen / kas,de

Zwei Jahre (zehn Jahre?) nach dem Beginn von Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine

"Europa bedeutet, füreinander einzustehen“ / Eine Bilanz des Fuldaer Gesprächs 20. Februar 2024

Gruppenfoto KAS Bremen

Folgt nun die Renaissance des Weimarer Dreiecks?

IMG_0225

Deutsche Fragen - ukrainische Antworten

Begegnungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern mit ukrainischen Studentinnen

2024 wird die Zusammensetzung des Europäischen Parlament (hier: in Straßburg) neu gewählt. Erich Westendarp auf Pixabay

Die europäische Stimme der bürgerlichen Mitteparteien

EVP: Die proeuropäische Kraft im Europäischen Parlament

Ein Grund zum Feiern: 10 Jahre Kroatien in der EU

Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, visits the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Talks with Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert on reforms, challenges and the country's European path

Die Zukunft des Westlichen Balkans liegt in der EU

8. Westbalkan-Botschafterkonferenz

XI. „Adenauer-Konferenz“ KAS / Tina Flemming

XI. „Adenauer-Konferenz“: Germany's role in international security policy

German security policy - between obligations and capabilities

Prof. Martin Reuber (KAS), Sabine Verheyen MdEP, Bürgermeister Frank Helmenstein und Dr. Carsten Brodessen MdB Norman Carmele

Fragen an Europa - Meinungen zu Europa

Europatage in Gummersbach (5. Mai) und Bonn (6. Mai)

Dr. Michael Meister MdB hält einen Impulsvortrag KAS

"Stability-Union or Debt-Union?"

A directional decision for Europe

Marion Sendker im Gespräch mit Gabriele Baumann kas.de

Ratspräsidentschaft, NATO-Beitritt, Seltene Erden, Weltraumbf: Schweden im Zentrum d. Aufmerksamkeit

Eine Bilanz des 40. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 28.03.2023

Unsere Zukunft steht in der Ukraine auf dem Spiel KAS / Marco Urban

„Unsere Zukunft steht in der Ukraine auf dem Spiel“

Navigieren in stürmischen Zeiten – deutsche Sicherheitspolitik 2023

Marion Sendker im Gespräch mit Daniel Braun kas.de

Kosovo 15 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeitserklärung – Entwicklung, Konflikt, Herausforderung

Eine Bilanz des 39. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 22.02.23.

Benjamin Kurc, Ina Rubbert u Michel Salzer

Wie steht es um die deutsch-französische Freundschaft? – Veranstaltungsbericht und Aufzeichnung

Bilanz und Ausblick anlässlich des 60-jährigen Jubiläums des Élysée-Vertrages

Publications

Media library

Mit kleinen Schritten zur Integration

Tagesspiegel über zehn Jahre Berliner Balkan Gipfel

Der Berlin Prozess hat bereits zu ersten spürbaren Erfolgen für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger des westlichen Balkans geführt.

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Deutschlandfunk Interview über den West-Balkan-Gipfel

Deutschlandfunk Interview über den West-Balkan-Gipfel

Jakov Devčić redet über den Weg des westlichen Balkans in die EU und die Rolle des Berlin Prozesses

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Bosnien und Herzegowina und der Westbalkan auf dem Weg in die...

Europa-Konferenz der Paneuropa Union BiH mit der KAS

Europaexperten aus den Westbalkanländern diskutierten mit Politikern aus BiH und Kroatien am 27./28.9.2024 in der Nähe von Mostar die Beitrittsperspektiven der Westbalkanstaaten.

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Erststimme #100: Hélène Miard-Delacroix

An international view of Germany

In our anniversary episode, we take a look at German unification from the outside and talk to Prof. Hélène Miard-Delacroix about this exciting topic!

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After the elections to the European Parliament

Continuity or change? On the global role of the EU after the elections

What can we expect from the future EU Commission at a global level and where are the major challenges? We talk about this with Dr Olaf Wientzek and Jonas Nitschke.

New episode of „Auslandsinfo. Spotlight“

The US election and the future of the EU: MEP Daniel Caspary in conversation

Harris or Trump? The question of who will move into the White House is also driving European politics. We take a look at the US presidential election with MEP Caspary.

Erststimme #94: Jochen Richter

Wie weiter nach der Europawahl?

Wir sprechen mit Jochen Richter, einem Insider aus dem Brüsseler Politikbetrieb über die Perspektiven des Europaparlaments nach den Europawahlen 2024.

Майбутнє України в ЄС

Як переконати Європу? Інтерв'ю з Євгеном Глібовицьким

Серія розмов про європейське минуле і майбутнє України з українськими інтелектуалами та експертами/ками реалізується Європравдою та УЦЄП за підтримки KAS Ukraine

Erststimme #79: David McAllister

30 Jahre nach dem Maastrichter Vertrag: Muss die EU neu vermessen werden?

Was ist aus dem Maastrichter Vertrag geworden und wohin führt uns die Zeitenwende in Europa? Diese Frage besprechen wir dem christdemokratischen EU-Außenpolitiker David McAllister.

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Neue Ausgabe unseres Podcasts

Die Republik Moldau unter Druck: Wie Russland einen Keil in die Gesellschaft treibt

Die Lage in der Republik Moldau ist angespannt, weil Russland Moldau destabilisiert. Mit welchen Mitteln? Mit welchem Erfolg? Und warum sind die kommenden 1,5 Jahre so wichtig?

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