GREATER EUROPE: IS IT STILL ON THE HORIZON?

Modern Studio

Languages: Russian, English

Moderator:

Giles Merritt, Founder, Chairman, Friends of Europe

Panellists:

Alexey Gromyko, Director, Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IE RAS)

Thomas Graham, Managing Director, Kissinger Associates

Dmitri Trenin, Director, Carnegie Moscow Center

Markus Ederer, Ambassador of the European Union to the Russian Federation

Igor Yurgens, Chairman of the Management Board, Institute of Contemporary Development; Member of the Board, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)

The focus of this session on Russian-European relations is the search for political instruments to overcome disagreements and further develop cooperative mechanisms.
The panel will analyze highs and lows in the current relationship, and discuss examples of fruitful cooperation that may point towards achievement of a 'Greater Europe'.

Issues for discussion:
• Should protagonists of a Greater Europe play safe by agreeing to disagree on issues ranging from security to economic and cultural policies?
• Or is it more important to restore flagging momentum and highlight the mutual benefits of Greater Europe?
• Has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the outlook - for good or ill - of a more coherent European-Russian relationship, including within their respective neighborhoods?