The European Union is currently in the process of setting its priorities for most of the coming decade. The next Multi-Annual Financial Framework for after the year 2020 will define the Union’s priorities and goals. While talk can be cheap, here member states and EU institutions really have to commit substantial financial resources. As major beneficiaries, the countries of Central Europe have a substantial stake in these discussions. They are increasingly seeking to modernize their economies for the knowledge economies but still lag behind in securing research funding. They are also large agricultural producers substantially affected by any changes to the Common Agricultural Policy. And projects like the Three Seas Initiative demonstrate that the demand for infrastructure investment is still there.

The Commission has framed the negotiations with reflection papers based on its five scenarios for the EU’s future. The High Level Monti Group has also formulated recommendations. At the same time, the benefits of funds from the EU budget to Central Europe are increasingly being contrasted with the perceived dominance of Western European corporations and their alleged extraction of profits from the region.

Please find the detailed program attached below.

Register with Łukasz Janulewicz at JanulewiczL@ceu.edu