The European Union’s enlargement policy has been in deadlock for the last decade. Both aspects of the policy of enlargement, as a process of negotiations towards accession and as a process of reform and preparation of future member states, have been unsuccessful with respect to the long standing candidates in the Western Balkans. The war against Ukraine and Ukraine’s application for membership may represent an opening for fundamental change in the EU’s enlargement policy, a critical juncture. This paper discusses the conditions and mechanisms under which enlargement policy can re-orient towards a new path, utilising the logics of institutionalist theories. Under conditions of unanimity decision making, the deadlock on enlargement may be resolved when preferences of the member states change or when rhetorical action increases the costs of a veto on enlargement.

Examining two years of decision making after the start of the war, the paper argues that the enlargement policy is on a new path, yet existing constraints have not been entirely removed. The prospect of enlargement of the European Union has always opened the debate between widening and deepening, between adding new members and reform of existing institutions and policies. This is especially the case when prospective new members have the potential to affect and unbalance the policies and distributive bargains inside the EU. With respect to the CAP and the budget, the costs of future reform of the EU continue to be high for member states and therefore, next to war, instability and credibility of reforms in candidate states, the key issue regarding accession may be whether debates on reform can find low-cost solutions.

The Earth’s vast oceans, covering over 70% of its surface, are a critical natural resource alongside soils and forests, forming the foundation of global natural capital. Within this aquatic realm, essential ecosystem goods and services sustain life and underpin human well-being globally. Developing the ocean economy in harmony with people, the planet, and prosperity is paramount for establishing sustainability. The high-level panel for a sustainable ocean economy emphasises numerous unquantified impacts on environmental, social, and health benefits, demanding attention from ocean-related stakeholders, as well as the measures confronting climate change. Present barriers to financing sustainable ocean ventures stem from market dynamics, financial risks, and knowledge gaps. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for G7 nations to facilitate a sustainable ocean economy via a holistic approach from the level of community-based to top-level policymaking. Strategic opportunities include establishing stable regulatory environments, fortifying knowledge and capacity, redirecting public investment, implementing sustainable investment principles, revolutionising insurance approaches, deploying investment tools, and fostering public-private partnerships. The policy brief would provide key pillars and cases to advocate collaboration among think tanks in G7 member countries to consolidate partnerships, creating a conducive environment for sustainable ocean financing, and steering towards a resilient global ocean economy.

REGISTRATION

Nuclear weapons are a crucial element of European security. For most European countries, nuclear deterrence is provided by the NATO nuclear umbrella, which is intended to protect European countries against external adversaries. As part of this umbrella, the United States stations nuclear weapons in five European countries as a part of the so-called ‘nuclear sharing’.

However, in recent years, nuclear sharing has been heavily contested in four of the countries where these weapons are believed to be stationed today. Whether in the public opinion or parliamentary debates, pro-disarmament voices have been very vocal creating significant pressure on governments, and indirectly on the alliance. For instance, ahead of the German elections in 2021, renewing infrastructure for supporting nuclear sharing was a major point of contention.

At the same time, NATO allies support nuclear sharing. The 2020 NATO Reflection Group recalled that “nuclear sharing arrangements play a vital role in the interconnection of the Alliance and should remain one of the main components of security guarantees and the indivisibility of security of the whole Euro-Atlantic area . The 2022 NATO Strategic Concept officially underlines the importance of this arrangement.

This workshop will study the politics surrounding debates on nuclear sharing in Europe, focusing on the role of public opinion, parties and civil society, and looking at the patterns of contestation in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

The workshop is by invitation only.