The Roundtables
EUROPEAN GOVERNANCE REFORM
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The European Union’s governance framework has increasingly been challenged by perceptions of democratic deficit, limited transparency, and distance from citizens. Complex institutional arrangements and fragmented responsibilities often slow decision-making and obscure accountability, undermining public trust in EU institutions. At the same time, low levels of civic participation in EU policymaking have reinforced concerns about legitimacy, representation, and responsiveness.
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These challenges are compounded by insufficient inter-institutional coordination and procedural inefficiencies that hinder the EU’s ability to act decisively while remaining democratically accountable. As the Union faces growing internal and external pressures, strengthening governance structures is essential to ensure policies are both effective and widely supported. Addressing these issues requires rethinking how EU institutions interact with one another and with European citizens.
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This roundtable will examine pathways for reforming European governance by enhancing transparency and accountability, improving coordination between EU institutions, and fostering more meaningful civic engagement in policymaking. It will explore options to reinforce democratic legitimacy while preserving efficiency, and assess potential institutional reforms that could make the EU more accessible, responsive, and resilient in the long term.
EUROPEAN STRATEGIC TRADE AUTONOMY​
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The European Union’s traditional commitment to open markets has come under growing strain as geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and unfair trade practices expose vulnerabilities in strategic sectors. Increasing reliance on external partners for critical inputs has heightened concerns over economic security, while state-backed industrial policies abroad have intensified competitive pressures on European industries. As a result, the EU faces the challenge of safeguarding its economic interests without retreating into protectionism.
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In response, the Union has begun to recalibrate its trade policy through a more assertive use of trade defense instruments, closer scrutiny of foreign subsidies, and the development of new tools such as the Anti-Coercion Instrument. However, questions remain about the coherence, effectiveness, and potential unintended consequences of this evolving approach, particularly in balancing strategic autonomy with the EU’s role as a promoter of free and rules-based trade.
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This roundtable will explore how the EU can strengthen its strategic trade autonomy while preserving openness and competitiveness. It will assess the effectiveness of existing and proposed trade defense mechanisms, industrial subsidy regulations, and economic security instruments, and examine how these tools can be deployed to protect strategic sectors without undermining the integrity of the global trading system.
EUROPEAN MIGRATION AND SOLIDARITY​
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Migration within and into the European Union is increasingly shaped by persistent regional inequalities, economic disparities, and uneven development across Member States and neighboring regions. Poverty, limited employment opportunities, and weak social infrastructure continue to drive mobility, while more developed regions benefit from inflows of labor and skills. At the same time, less developed areas face the long-term consequences of brain drain, demographic decline, and reduced growth potential.
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These dynamics place significant strain on the EU’s capacity for solidarity and fair burden-sharing. Divergent national approaches to migration, asylum, and integration have exposed gaps in coordination and responsibility-sharing, often exacerbating political tensions between Member States. Without effective mechanisms to balance costs and benefits, migration risks deepening existing inequalities rather than contributing to cohesion and inclusive growth.
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This roundtable will examine how EU migration policies can better address the root socioeconomic drivers of mobility while strengthening solidarity among Member States. It will explore strategies to mitigate brain drain, promote more equitable responsibility-sharing, and harness human mobility as a driver of inclusive development, grounded in fairness, cohesion, and shared responsibility across the Union.
EUROPEAN DIGITAL SECURITY AND PRIVACY
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The European Union’s digital ecosystem is facing growing pressure from escalating cyber threats, rapid technological change, and intensifying geopolitical competition. State-sponsored cyber activities, including those attributed to actors such as Russia, have exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, public services, and private data systems. At the same time, increasing digital interdependence has heightened concerns over data protection, privacy, and the EU’s ability to retain control over key digital assets.
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These challenges are compounded by the difficulty of balancing robust cybersecurity measures with innovation, economic competitiveness, and the protection of individual rights. Fragmented implementation of digital regulations and uneven cybersecurity capacities across Member States further weaken collective resilience, while debates over surveillance, data governance, and digital sovereignty continue to test public trust.
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This roundtable will explore how the EU can strengthen digital security and privacy while fostering a dynamic and innovative digital economy. It will assess existing and emerging cybersecurity frameworks, data protection policies, and sovereignty-oriented initiatives, and examine how the Union can reconcile security imperatives with regulatory coherence, technological innovation, and the protection of fundamental rights.
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