Friends of Europe has decided to discontinue its activities on this account. You can find us instead on: 🔗LinkedIn - 'Friends of Europe' 🔷Bluesky - @friendsofeurope.bsky.social 📸Instagram - @friendsofeurope For more information about the reasons behind this move, check out the link below ⤵️ tinyurl.com/yc48u59m

📍 How can we craft a more equitable Europe for our young people? Ask them. Each year, @FriendsofEurope brings together the young leaders shaping Europe's present to debate solutions for Europe's tomorrow. 💬In their own countries, cities and communities, European Young Leaders (#EYL40) play an essential role in reconnecting people with and rebuilding trust in politics by engaging a wider community around key policy issues. They are facilitating civic participation in a more inclusive, sustainable and forward-looking Europe. 🗓️At the Summit in May, the #EYL40 cohort will discuss with senior decision-makers, key European actors and citizens, equipping a new generation of leaders to carry forward a common European vision well beyond Europe Day. 🔍Find more info on the #EYL40 programme here ⤵️ tinyurl.com/3p5xravf 📝Find the Summit agenda here ⤵️ tinyurl.com/vjuppfay

❓Completing the Single Market is key to Europe's competitiveness, autonomy and growth - so what's holding us back? In order to complete the Single Market by 2028, the #DelorsFoEFoundation has launched its Single Market Initiative - bringing together different stakeholders from across Europe to form a Coalition of Action and advocate with a single voice for the Single Market. Now more than ever, Europe must have unity - because without a Single Market, we surrender our future independence. Find out more about the Single Market Initiative here 👉shorturl.at/TrzAA

📆 NEXT WEEK | How can Europe innovate and complement existing defence structures with lessons from Ukraine? In collaboration with @DelorsInstitute, @FriendsofEurope will host an online #FoEDebate identifying Ukrainian lessons that could provide a much-needed update to Europe's defence ecosystem. For this discussion, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers: 🎙️@TomaszHusak, Director of Defence Policy @defis_eu 🎙️Marco Lotz, Governmental Relations Manager @Quantumdrones & Chair of the Ukraine Working Group @ASDEurope 🎙️@Piilaadzis, Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence @MoD_Latvia Register to join the debate 👉shorturl.at/KEWAT Learn more about the event 👉shorturl.at/wjgd9

⚡If used well, the Grids Package can revolutionise Europe's aging energy grids. Last week, Friends of Europe partnered with @Google to host a thought-provoking #FoEDebate on the power of grids. Because while Europe has done well in rolling out renewables, long connection queues, insufficient grid capacity and slow permitting are increasing the costs for consumers. Key takeaways 🔹Europe must ensure that renewable energy remains affordable 🔹Big digital players have a responsibility to act as “good grid citizens" 🔹At the same time, governance must be cohesive and consistent 🔹The grids package is key to delivering affordable renewable energy across the continent Thank you to our esteemed speakers and participants! 🔍Find out more about the event : shorturl.at/2XjeP 📷Check out the photo album : shorturl.at/rZXNW @micha_bloss @TomHowes_EU @Laura_Cozzi

🟢HAPPENING NOW | If used well, the Grids Package ccould revolutionise Europe's aging energy grids. Today, Friends of Europe partners with @Google for a #FoEDebate on how Europe can adequately invest in energy grids to give us a competitive boost. For this timely discussion, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers: 🎙️@Laura_Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks at the @IEA 🎙️Vilma Kaza, EMEA Sustainability & Energy Policy Lead at @Google 🎙️@ThPellerin, Member of @EP_Industry 🎙️Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General @Energy4Europe 🎙️ @micha_bloss, Member of @EP_Industry 🎥 Follow the event live here: tinyurl.com/3uekhv6e

🚨 Europe must take the fight to Russia. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe is still at war — but this war is different to what we've seen in the past. To adapt to this new hybrid warfare, we need to change our mindset. In this video, our PSD Senior Fellow Gabor Iklody urges European leaders to accept, adapt and overcome — because this is about Europe's survival. #StandWithUkraine

🕊️Ukrainians have seen four years of war — how many more before peace comes? In this article, PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea takes stock of the Ukraine-Russia war and challenges Europe to not look away. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights…

🇺🇦 Political solidarity for Ukraine is not words. It is delivering the weapons Ukraine needs to defend Europe. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe still struggles to turn political statements into action. In this video, our Senior Fellow for Peace Security and Defence, @MGongadze, highlights some key lessons for Europe from Ukraine’s experience: 🔹Political solidarity must be tangible. 🔹Decision-making must be coordinated. 🔹Military production must meet the challenge. 🔹Citizens must prepare individually. 🇪🇺 Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. #StandWithUkraine

❝The people don’t understand how it is to lose some territory. It’s like your body.❞ Today marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is not abstract - it is lived every day by civilians whose homes, cities and lives are under attack. For Maryna Bratash, a Ukrainian citizen speaking from Kyiv, war is not a geopolitical debate. It is a daily reality. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. The lessons of this war are urgent. Complacency will carry consequences far beyond Ukraine’s borders. #StandWithUkraine

🟢 HAPPENING NOW | Join us as we explore what lessons Europe must draw from Ukraine's struggle against Russia — for the sake of all Europeans. Today marks four years of Russian aggression against Ukraine. How much longer will our leaders allow this to go on? Today, @FriendsofEurope brings together a high-level panel to examine the lessons Europe must draw from Ukraine’s military and societal adaptation to safeguard its own defence, resilience and capabilities. For this timely discussion, we are delighted to welcome: 🎙️Sebastian Holzer, Director of Emergency Response Ukraine at @GIZ 🎙️@TomaszHusak, Director of Defence policy @defis_eu-@EU_Commission 🎙️Kateryna Mykhalko, Managing Director @UxS_Alliance 🎙️Ambassador @RugeBoris, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy @NATO 👇Find out more about the event here: shorturl.at/Y8Hvi

🔴 WATCH OUT EUROPE! Four years of war. One urgent lesson: Europe is still not fully prepared. As Ukraine enters the fifth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the country has adapted under fire - innovating on the battlefield, mobilising society and surviving relentless attacks. Meanwhile, Europe faces fragmented defence, slow capability development and rising hybrid threats. Today, Friends of Europe convenes a high-level panel to examine the lessons Europe must learn - and act on - to safeguard its own security. ⚠️ Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. The time to act is now. 👉 Learn more about the event: tinyurl.com/4nhy85yp @TomaszHusak @RugeBoris

💶Despite recent victories, the EU has struggled to provide financial support to Ukraine - is Plan C the way out? In his latest #CriticalThinking article, PSD Senior Fellow and principal architect of the Ukraine Reparations Loan plan, Lee Buchheit outlines how Brussels could safeguard support for Ukraine - and protect Europe. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights…

📆NEXT WEEK | How can we energise Europe's clean transition? Next Wednesday, Friends of Europe partners with @Google for a #FoEDebate on how Europe can adequately invest in energy grids to give us a competitive boost. For this timely discussion, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers: 🎙️@Laura_Cozzi, Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks at the @IEA 🎙️Vilma Kaza, EMEA Sustainability & Energy Policy Lead at @Google 🎙️@ThPellerin, Member of the @EP_Industry 🎙️Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General @Energy4Europe Find out more about the event here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/events/b…

🚨 Europe risks falling behind in the digital race. High-capacity networks are no longer optional - they underpin work, healthcare, public services and national security. Fragmented rules threaten the Digital Single Market and Europe’s digital sovereignty. Next week, @FriendsofEurope and @VodafoneGroup are hosting a key #FoEDebate gathering senior policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and civil society to explore how to harmonise rules, unlock investment and integrate Europe’s digital networks. 💡 This event will also mark the launch of @debatingeurope's latest report “Public views on connectivity in Europe”, highlighting citizens’ views on digital networks, next-generation investment, and Europe’s digital resilience in Germany, Greece, Portugal and Romania. We are honoured to welcome: 🔸 @EnricoLetta (@DelorsInstitute) 🔸 @AlMastantuono (@EU_EESC) 🔸 Joakim Reiter (@VodafoneGroup) 👉 Find out more here: tinyurl.com/DigSM24 #Europe28 #DelorsFoEFoundation

📆 NEXT WEEK | Europe must learn from Ukraine - or face the consequences. As the war enters its fifth year, Ukraine’s ability to adapt under fire has offered Europe an unprecedented, real-time laboratory of modern conflict. At the same time, the war continues to expose structural weaknesses in Europe’s defence and resilience ecosystems. Next Tuesday, Friends of Europe brings together a high-level panel to examine the lessons Europe must draw from Ukraine’s wartime effort and societal adaptation for its own defence cooperation, resilience and capability development We are therefore delighted to welcome: 🎙️Sebastian Holzer, Director of Emergency Response Ukraine @GIZ 🎙️@TomaszHusak, Director of Defence policy @defis_eu 🎙️Kateryna Mykhalko, Managing Director @UxS_Alliance 🎙️Ambassador @RugeBoris, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy @NATO Find out more about the event here 👇 friendsofeurope.org/events/4…

🔍A free press is an essential pillar of democracy - but we often don't notice until it's gone. In this #CriticalThinking article, PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea explores the necessity of free press, a censorious shift in administrations worldwide and identifies crucial avenues for European action. Read the full article here 👇 friendsofeurope.org/insights…

❓Does the EU have a role to play in fulfilling Venezuela's democratic aspirations? According to @MichaelShifter, professor at @georgetown and former @The_Dialogue president, the answer is a resounding yes in his latest #CriticalThinking article. Find out why here⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights…

🛡️In the modern era, defence is not only about the military - modern defence means societal readiness to defend itself from inside, according to @MGongadze. Yet if Brussels continues to ignore the threat at its borders - and within them - Russian aggression against European citizens will go unchecked. What should Europe do? #Ukraine #Defence #Europe

❝The Single Market must be complete by 2028.❞ Today, the Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation is organising a debate with @EnricoLetta on advancing Single Market integration at a critical moment for Europe. This event will kickstart the Foundation’s work toward a Coalition of Action to bring stakeholders together and unlock Europe’s Single Market to its full potential. Europe cannot afford to stand still. 🔗 Learn more: tinyurl.com/2pthvpfu #DelorsFoEFoundation #Europe28 @DelorsBerlin @DelorsInstitute

2028 is the deadline for completing the Single Market. This week, the Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation is hosting a key debate joined by @EnricoLetta on unlocking the Single Market to its full potential. 🔗More: tinyurl.com/2pthvpfu #DelorsFoEFoundation #Europe28

⚠️ Europe’s sanctions are under attack - through private arbitration. Last week, Friends of Europe hosted a key debate, moderated by our Senior Fellow @MGongadze, on how Cold War-era bilateral investment treaties (BITs) are being weaponised by Russian oligarchs and state-linked actors to challenge EU sanctions via Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims. The debate made one thing clear: business as usual with Russia is over. Ending abusive treaties, neutralising sunset clauses and closing loopholes in sanctions enforcement are not radical steps - they are overdue acts of strategic self-defence. Europe cannot afford to fight a war of values while losing a war of law. Learn more here: friendsofeurope.org/events/t… @foeeurope

🟢 TODAY | Join us as we explore the investment provisions that allow Russian oligarchs to challenge sanctions and undermine European policies. In partnership with @foeeurope, the #FoEDebate will investigate how bad faith actors use bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to derail legitimate EU and member state policies - and induce a 'chilling effect' on opposition. For this illuminating debate, we are delighted to welcome: 🎙️@petras_petras, MEP in @EP_ForeignAff & @EP_Defence 🎙️@MGongadze, Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the @AtlanticCouncil 🎙️@LSchaugg, Policy advisor at the @IISD_ELP 🎙️@DirkSchuebel, Head of the Russia Division at the @eu_eeas 🎙️Mykola Yurlov, Consellor at the Department of International Law at @MFA_Ukraine Find out more 👇 friendsofeurope.org/events/t…

🔈 Addressing AI data collection, Joy Clancy, Visiting Professor @LiverpoolHopeUK, argues: ❝It’s very difficult to find anybody looking at [the use of AI in the energy sector]. I did come across a general concern is the way that AI collects data and who defines the parameters. And how socially sensitive those parameters are, where it’s stored and how it’s used. [...] and that’s something that social scientists need to be involved with.❞ #FoEDebate #SSHCENTRE

❝I am very happy that there is so much attention, so much demand for doing more on SSH. If I were you, I would contact my MEPs, contact my member state, [...] and tell them how [your SSH research] changed, how it impacted your communities,❞ Henriette van Eijl, @EU_Commission - @EUScienceInnov, shares at today's #FoEDebate. #SSHCENTRE

💬 Referring to the next @HorizonEU programme, Joy Clancy - @LiverpoolHopeUK, explains how the relationship between STEM and SSH should evolve, and highlights what is still missing in how evidence and data are produced and used for policy. ❝[Data] must be further disaggregated across different social categories. [For example] a lot of women within Europe cannot afford to pay their full energy bill - but without that data we don’t know the exact size of that issue.❞ #FoEDebate #SSHCENTRE

🗣️ On the gaps between policy and reality, and the challenges in how research is communicated, Joy Clancy, Visiting Professor @LiverpoolHopeUK, highlights: ❝Some of the worst communicators are academics. Academics are good at speaking to other academics, not non-academics. [...] We have to think about the way we talk. It’s important to get really good influencers.❞ #FoEDebate #SSHCENTRE

🔈 Asked about how societal needs can be integrated in EU priotities such as competitiveness, Henriette van Eijl, @EU_Commission -@EUScienceInnov, underscores: ❝Collaborative research is where we link [market competitiveness and societal needs]. If you look at the type of research we’re funding [...] we’re doing everything in these collaborative research projects.❞ #FoEDebate #SSHCENTRE

🌐 Reflecting on current geopolitical challenges, Henriette van Eijl, Head of Unit for Health and Societal Transitions @EU_Commission - @EUScienceInnov, argues: ❝In some parts of the world you see that some research is not being funded any more [...] and there are a number of questions: should Europe step up and fund some of these unmet needs? We genuinely welcome researchers and we want to enable anyone in the world to come here and do the research that we think is great and they love to do.❞ #SSHCENTRE #FoEDebate

🗨️ At our #FoEDebate, @ProfChrisFoulds, @GSI_ARU-@AngliaRuskin, highlights that stories and experiences matter. ❝Lived experiences matter [...] but actually the more that you dig deeper into how action is justified at the policy level, it is the human experience and the effects on the ground that really get talked about.❞ #SSHCENTRE

❝SSH isn’t just about trying to get someone to change their behaviour [...] it can do an awful lot more, in terms of understanding [...] fairness, justice, religion, what is right for society.❞ 🗣️ Speaking at today's #FoEDebate, @ProfChrisFoulds, Professor @GSI_ARU - @AngliaRuskin, shares his insights on the role of SSH and its potential. #SSHCENTRE

💬 Joining today's #FoEDebate, @rosie_robison, Professor @GSI_ARU - @AngliaRuskin, sets the scene by sharing her experience working on the SHH project. ❝We’ve been working on the ground with cities and municipalities and seeing how SSH insights can help them with the real policy challenges they are facing - and we’ve had huge appetite for our work.❞ #SSHCENTRE

🔴 STARTING NOW | Shaping the next European research and innovation framework As Europe designs Horizon Europe 2028–2034, the challenge is clear: technological breakthroughs must go hand in hand with social sciences and humanities (SSH) to turn innovation into real-world impact. Organised with @SSHCentreEU, this #FoEDebate explores how SSH can help shape future research priorities and innovation pathways. We are delighted to welcome: 🎙️Joy Clancy, Visiting Professor @LiverpoolHopeUK 🎙️ Henriette van Eijl, Head of Unit for Health and Societal Transitions @EU_Commission - @EUScienceInnov 🎙️@ProfChrisFoulds, Professor @GSI_ARU - @AngliaRuskin 🎙️@rosie_robison, Professor @GSI_ARU - @AngliaRuskin 👉 Watch live: tinyurl.com/yehrjv4u 🧵 Follow this thread for live updates.

🔴 TOMORROW | How are bad faith actors using investment treaties to undermine European support for Ukraine? Join us tomorrow to find out! In partnership with @foeeurope, the #FoEDebate will investigate how bad faith actors use bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to derail legitimate EU and member state policies - and induce a 'chilling effect' on opposition. For this illuminating debate, we are delighted to welcome: 🎙️@petras_petras, MEP in @EP_ForeignAff & @EP_Defence 🎙️@MGongadze, Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the @AtlanticCouncil 🎙️@LSchaugg, Policy advisor at the @IISD_ELP 🎙️@DirkSchuebel, Head of the Russia Division at the @eu_eeas 🎙️Mykola Yurlov, Consellor at the Department of International Law at @MFA_Ukraine 📝Register here: friendsofeurope.my.site.com/… Find out more 👇 friendsofeurope.org/events/t…

🗓️ TOMORROW | As the next Horizon Europe takes shape, a key question emerges: how can technological advances deliver real-world impact across society, the economy and policy? Organised in partnership with @SSHCentreEU, this #FoEDebate brings together experts and policymakers to explore how SSH can shape research priorities, innovation pathways and Europe’s competitiveness for the future. 👉 Learn more: tinyurl.com/yehrjv4u

📢 Announcement | We’re delighted to welcome Ulrike Sapiro as Managing Director of the Jacques Delors Friends of Europe Foundation. Her leadership will guide the integration of our organisations’ strengths, boosting our collective impact across Europe. #DelorsFoEFoundation

Joining our recent EU-Western Balkans Summit, @cgherasimov, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Chief EU Negotiator, spoke about the window of opportunity her country currently faces in advancing EU accession talks. 👉 Learn more about the event: tinyurl.com/BalkansSummit25 @EUinMoldova @MoldovaMFA @MDmissionEU

🏦 Joining our recent EU-Western Balkans Summit, @IrenaRadovicMNE, Governor of the Central Bank of Montenegro (@Centralnabanka), highlighted the crucial role of economic competitiveness and stability in candidate countries’ EU accession processes. 👉 Learn more about the event: tinyurl.com/BalkansSummit25 @EUAmbME @MFA_MNE @MONTENEGROinEU

🔈 At our recent EU-Western Balkans Summit, @DanielssonEU, Swedish State Secretary for EU Affairs, underlined the growing sense of urgency among European leaders to admit Western Balkan candidates into the EU, given today’s geopolitical realities. 👉 Learn more about the event: tinyurl.com/BalkansSummit25 @SwedeninEU @SweMFA

🏦Joining our recent EU-Western Balkans Summit, @dragu_anca, Governor of @BNM_oficial, highlighted the crucial role central banks play in a candidate country’s EU accession process. 👉 Learn more about the event: tinyurl.com/BalkansSummit25

🇪🇺 Speaking at our recent Balkans Summit, Robert de Groot, Vice-President @EIB, stressed the need to modernise infrastructure in the Western Balkan region. 👉 Learn more about the event: tinyurl.com/BalkansSummit25

🇷🇸 At our recent EU-Western Balkans Summit, @anabrnabic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, and former prime minister of Serbia, highlighted the need for a more coherent EU member state approach to enlargement. 👉 Learn more about the event: bit.ly/BalkansSummit25