Belgium's Presidency of the Council of the European Union from January 1 to June 30, 2024, under the motto «Protect.Strengthen.Look Ahead», was the reason for the event. Although Liechtenstein is not a member of the EU, as a European country it relies on good cooperation with the EU as its most important partner.
In her welcoming address, Foreign Minister Dominique Hasler was therefore all the more pleased that this important discussion on the future of Europe was being held in Liechtenstein and emphasized that «a strong Europe is in the country's own best interests. The current crises, especially in our immediate neighborhood, have shown us that peace is not something we can take for granted, but something we have to work for every day.»
Afterwards, H.E. Pascal Heyman, Prof. Jonathan Holslag, Professor of International Politics at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Dr. Christian Frommelt, Rector of the University of Liechtenstein, discussed important European issues: What values does the European Union stand for? Have the European countries allowed themselves to become dependent on the major global players – the USA and China?
Jonathan Holslag explained: «Get used to structural stagnation - it's the new normal.» Nevertheless, he still sees opportunities and potential in Europe: the strength of the countries is to think and act freely, the creativity in Europe is limitless. Especially when it comes to creating something fundamentally new, Europeans are still far ahead of everyone else.
After the panel discussion, there was an opportunity to exchange ideas over traditional Belgian fries and beer.