Paradigm Shift: Redefining Alliances and Trade Relations

Faced with an existential crisis triggered by the near collapse of the periphery countries such as Greece, followed by Brexit and the rise of populism the European Union has been struggling to define its own ‘Union’ interest in dealing with foreign investors.
There is a risk that as an open and liberal trading block, the EU is exposed to state-funded technology acquisition programmes that ultimately give competing powers an unfair advantage.
In this new age of ‘national interest’ becoming the central political theme, the time has come to define European Union’s ‘strategic interest, particularly in the area of infrastructure and high technology. It is essential to demonstrate that Europe is a sustainable long term economic and political project.

The discussion is held in English under Chatham House Rules in the Užutrakis Manor Palace near Vilnius, Lithuania.