For years, EU enlargement was a topic of patient rhetoric and slow procedure. That has changed. In 2026, the accession process has picked up a pace few would have predicted only a short time ago – and with it, the questions Europe can no longer postpone have become very concrete.

On 3 November, United Europe brings together policymakers from Berlin, Tirana and Pristina, alongside one of Germany’s leading analysts of the region, to ask what it will take to make enlargement succeed – for the candidates and for the Union itself.

Enlargement is back – and moving fast

The momentum is real. Montenegro has entered the final phase of its negotiations and aims to complete them by the end of 2026, with membership targeted for 2028. Albania is close behind: in mid-October it provisionally closed another negotiating chapter, its fourth this autumn, and is working towards concluding talks within the next year or so. The European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Package, due in late October, is expected to set out accession roadmaps for frontrunners including Albania and Montenegro.

The EU’s Commissioner for Enlargement has called 2026 a record year for enlargement policy. For the first time in more than a decade, the Union is preparing not just to talk about new members, but to welcome them.

The strategic choices ahead

This acceleration brings difficult questions with it – and they are no longer academic.

Can a larger Union still act? A Union of 30 or more members will need to rethink how it takes decisions, funds its common policies and safeguards the rule of law. Reform of the EU and its enlargement are two sides of the same coin.

What do candidate countries need? Credible timelines, fair and transparent benchmarks, and tangible benefits along the way – from access to the single market to investment in infrastructure, energy and connectivity – are what keep reform-minded governments and citizens on board.

What does Europe gain? In a more contested world, enlargement is also a geopolitical decision. A stable, prosperous and integrated Western Balkans strengthens Europe’s security, its economic resilience and its weight in the world. For European businesses, it means larger markets, closer supply chains and new partners on the Union’s doorstep.

Voices from Berlin, Tirana and Pristina

Our panel brings these perspectives together:

• Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office, on Germany’s role and the reforms the Union must undertake to be ready for new members.
• H.E. Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, representing one of the frontrunners in the current accession process.
• Jeton Zulfaj, Chief Negotiator of the Republic of Kosovo with the European Union, on Kosovo’s European ambitions and the path still ahead.
• Milan Nic, Senior Research Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), with an analytical view on the region and the politics of enlargement.

The discussion will be moderated by Maximilian Mörseburg, Managing Director of United Europe.

Why this conversation matters now

The decisions taken in the coming months – in Brussels, in national capitals and in the candidate countries – will shape the European Union for decades. United Europe believes that business, politics and civil society must shape this debate together. That is why we look forward to an open and forward-looking exchange, and to your questions and perspectives.

Join us

Date: 3 November 2026 Time: 17:00–18:30 Venue: Haus der Wirtschaft, BDA | Confederation of German Employers’ Associations, Berlin

Registration is mandatory. Please register by 29 October at events@united-europe.eu.

We look forward to welcoming you.

This year’s AGA is also a special occasion. We will honour our long-serving Treasurer, Dr Jürgen Großmann, for his many years of dedicated commitment to United Europe. And we will close the afternoon with a debate on one of the defining strategic questions for Europe today: the enlargement of the European Union.

A year in review, a course for 2027

The statutory session opens at 16:00 with a welcome from our President, Günther H. Oettinger. Members will hear the Annual Report 2026 and an outlook on our plans for 2027.

Several decisions are on the agenda this year:

• Honorary Board Member: a proposed amendment to our statutes to create this new position
• Finances: presentation of the Financial Report 2025 and approval of the 2025 financial statements
• New membership fee structure: a resolution presented by Prof Dr Kai Andrejewski. As a non-profit financed exclusively by membership fees, this is an important step for the association’s future
• Discharge of the Board and the Management
• Election of the new United Europe Board

Every member’s vote counts, so we warmly encourage you to take part.

Thank you, Dr Jürgen Großmann

For many years, Dr Jürgen Großmann has served United Europe as Treasurer. He has kept the association on a sound financial footing and contributed greatly to its development.

The AGA will be our opportunity to thank him personally. Following the vote on the new position of Honorary Board Member, we will honour Dr Großmann in recognition of his long-standing commitment. We would be delighted if many members could be there for this moment.

Panel discussion: “Growing Europe: A Case for Enlargement”

EU enlargement is back at the top of the political agenda. Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and the Western Balkans all have accession prospects, and Europe faces important strategic decisions. How can the Union grow while staying capable of acting? What do candidate countries need, and what does Europe gain?

From 17:00 to 18:30, we will discuss these questions with:

• Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe, Federal Foreign Office
• H.E. Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania
• H.E. Dr Faruk Ajeti, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Germany
• Milan Nič, Senior Research Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

The discussion will be moderated by Maximilian Mörseburg, Managing Director of United Europe.

Programme at a glance

Tuesday, 3 November 2026 · Haus der Wirtschaft, Breite Straße 29, 10178 Berlin

Join us

Please register by 27 October 2026 at events@united-europe.eu. Let us know whether you will attend the AGA, the panel discussion and/or the reception.

We look forward to welcoming you in Berlin.

The discussion was held under Chatham House Rule. What follows reflects the ideas exchanged in the room. The mood swung between alarm and quiet confidence. That tension turned out to be the most honest picture of where Europe stands today.

Günther H. Oettinger opened the dialogue with a sobering diagnosis without diplomatic paddling. The US still holds about 25% of global GDP, despite the rise of India, Malaysia, and Brazil. Europe’s share has fallen from 28% to 17%. China has climbed from 7% to 17%.

Growth tells the same story. Germany ist stagnating and France grows only slightly, while the US holds steady at around 2.5%, China at 4-5% and India at 6-7%. Europe faces the prospect of roughly seven years of low growth, stagnation or even recession.

Sector by sector, the picture is mixed: 
– Strong: aerospace (Airbus), chemicals and pharmaceuticals
– Falling behind: digital and increasingly automotive

What is missing from the agenda is a coherent US and China strategy and therefore Europe risks becoming “the loser of the century” caught in a sandwich between Washington and Beijing. The way out, it was argued, rests on tackling two priorities – security and competitiveness – and overcoming two challenges: governance and debt.

PRIORITY ONE: SECURITY
Security – external, internal, cyber – was named the first priority. One question landed hard in the room: why do 550 million Europeans (including UK and Ukraine) need 350 million Americans to defend them against 150 million Russians? The answer offered was that Europe must do far more to protect its continent, its peace and its values – “for us, for our children and for our common democratic future.”

PRIORITY TWO: COMPETITIVENESS 
Escaping the sandwich requires “new Airbus ideas”, and France and Germany are key to them. Speakers called for completing the single market and finally acting on the Draghi and Letta reports. The market, they stressed, is global – not French, German or even European – so Europe needs players that can compete globally.

That means overcoming old reflexes. Germany opposed TTIP; France opposed Mercosur. Instead, the EU – itself a group of middle powers – could build alliances with Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the Emirates and Saudia Arabia, through trade agreements and joint research such as Horizon Europe.

Not everyone shared the gloom. William Kaddouch-Chassaing, Co-CEO at Eurazeo argued that Europe is still winning in important ways:
– Europe trains more engineers each year than any other continent
– Its universities, infrastructure and social stability increasingly attract capital from Asia, the Middle East and even the US
– Investors see US growth and the dollar as highly volatile and value Europe’s stability.
Kaddouch-Chassaing summed up the investors perspective neatly: they dislike Europe’s sluggish macro picture but love its micro picture. MedTech (about 40% in the world is German), biotech, healthcare, water and clean tech all generate strong returns. Even in AI, Mistral shows a European LLM provider can scale, drawing on French, German, Dutch and UK talent – though computing capacity remains indeed far behind.
He praised concrete steps: the “EU Inc” or 28th regime for company law, the push towards a Savings and Investment Union, securitisation, market infrastructure and pension reform. But he also warned that Europe remains astonishingly naive about China’s push into its manufacturing base.

ENERGY: TRADING ONE DEPENDENCY FOR ANOTHER
For Anne-Laure De Chammard, Energy prices are central to competitiveness, and Europe remains far too dependent on outside powers. After years of naive reliance on Russian gas, 50-60% of supply has shifted to the US – one dependency swapped for another. The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz has exposed this weakness again. The answer, De Chammard argued, is to move from “imported molecules” to “home-grown electrons”. Europe is doing this but around 2,000 GW of renewable projects are stuck because there are no grids to carry the power to where it is needed. With 27 countries and 27 sets of rules and specifications, Europe cannot scale or secure its supply. A common approach to grids is the bare minimum.

New dependencies are already forming:
– Solar and wind: largely supplied by China – if deliveries stopped, Europe’s lights would go out.
– Critical minerals and lithium batteries: also mainly Chinese
– Software and data: about 70% of EU data sits with US hyperscalers, which effectively control it.
– Turbines: flowing to the US to power its data centre boom, leaving too few for Europe.

CAPITAL, RISK AND PENSIONS: WHY EUROPE STRUGGLES TO SCALE?
The only real difference between the European and US economies is Silicon Valley. Europe’s traditional economy is not outperformed – its technology sector is! The reason lies in how Europe finances itself. In Silicon Valley, four out of five start-ups fail and the fifth succeeds spectacularly. That kind of risk cannot sit on a bank balance sheet, and Europe’s financial system is built on banks. Risk capital is the real issue.
Several ideas emerged:
– Make initiatives big enough to matter. The Scale-up Europe Fund, approved in August with 1bn € from the European Commission, reduces transaction costs – but efforts like it need to become quasi-state structures to deliver.
– Put pension savings to work at home. Nordic pension funds in Sweden and Denmark for example show the way. Some €400bn in pension capital currently flows to the US and could be reinvested in Europe.
– Make failure cheaper. Restructuring in Germany or France takes 18 months to two years; by then the market has moved on. Sweden is much faster.
– Grow bigger companies. European firms are simply too small. Without European champions – and the mergers and acquisitions needed to build them – Europe stands no chance on the world stage.

There is no lack of capital for the scale-up phase as such. The challenge is channelling Europe’s  savings into its own capital markets. The real difference between the US and Europe is pensions. Meanwhile, the US hyperscaler build-out is largely debt financed, a risk for the system that Europe should not copy.

A debt crisis is looming and in the US the gap between key interest rates and market based rates signals that debt and deficits are becoming unsustainable. For the sake of the next generation, Europe must curb rising debt- or it will be unable to stabilise its financial sector and public budgets.

FRANCO-GERMAN TRUST
If one theme cut through the economics, it was trust. The state of mistrust between Germany and France is staggering. Cooperation had slid into zero sum bargaining on the world stage – and the recent setback in Franco-Germany defence cooperation showed how many issues remain open.
“France and Germany have been dating for so long – when are they going to bed?” one participant asked. If today’s pressure do not push them together, what will? The hopeful sign is that the two sides are still talking. Participants called for a dialogue between the democratic left and right, and for business to take the lead at the working level.
There was also a warning about information warfare. The prevailing story is that Europe is losing. That is partly true, but it goes too far – and AI has accelerated anti European propaganda. Europe must trust its own abilities to innovate, and take back control of its narrative.

BRUSSELS IS OUR CAPITAL
The closing argument was that only a European answer will work – big things done at the European level, without Brussels’ bureaucratic burden. That comes down to questions of power.
– Finish the Banking and Capital Markets Union. That requires Europeanising corporate, bankruptcy and criminal law- powers national parliaments are reluctant to hand hand over. In Germany, state-owned banks are lobbying against the Banking Union.
– Redefine the market. EU competition policy still protects consumers in national markets rather than enabling global competitiveness. The Siemens Alstom merger case was cited as an example. In telecoms, three or four operators per member state means too many competitors.
– Use the next MFF to strengthen Europe. France is pushing to agree the new budget soon before a possible LePen government could block it. Participants called for more research funding, a smaller agriculture budget, and common defence spending instead of 17 national silos.

The big member states – Germany, France, Italy and Spain – were named as the main obstacle. Their European mindset is not strong enough!

The message to business was clear: the place to be is not Berlin or Paris, but Brussels. Through Business Europe and Eurochambres, industry must fight with better arguments and a much louder voice. it was observed that these discussions are always rich but rarely conclusive. Everyone understands what needs to be done; the hard part is how – moving from action plans to decisions and implementation.
Paris made one thing clear: the diagnosis is shared, from energy to capital markets to security and trust. Europe has real strengths – talent, research, stability and a thriving “micro” economy. What it lacks is the scale, the integrated capital and the political will to turn those strengths into global champions. France and Germany cannot do this alone but without them it will not happen at all.

Three Priorities on Brussels’ Agenda
Between now and the end of the year, three issues dominate the Brussels agenda: the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the future of the combustion engine, and, more relevant than ever, the omnibus packages to cut bureaucracy.

Priority 1: The Combustion Engine: Don’t Look Only at Paris and Berlin

The Minister Presidents of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony, have written to the EU institutions. They call for the automotive sector to be stabilised. That means car, truck and bus production in Germany’s regions, and the many suppliers that matter to regions all across the European Union.
In capitals and metropolis like Paris and Berlin, the focus is on electric. But look at the growing markets around the world: Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and others. Even in 2026 they lack the infrastructure to go electric. Oettinger’s conclusion was that Europe needs efficient combustion engines, and it must keep producing and exporting them after 2035.

Priority 2: Omnibus: Undoing What Was Done Yesterday
Normally, a directive or regulation is reviewed after 15 or 20 years, and then revised or repealed. Today, laws from 2023 and 2024 already have to be changed or dismantled. CBAM or CSRD and the taxonomy are examples, along with other rules that demand reporting and calculations behind every product. All of them are highly bureaucratic.

The same Members of Parliament, heads of Unit and Directorates-General who passed these laws four years ago now have to consign their own work to the history books. “I have never seen such a situation in my whole political life” Oettinger said.

Priority 3: The MFF: Who Gets What, and How Much? 
Member states want more money for regional policy and stable funding for agriculture. The open question is the overall size of the budget relative to GDP: more than in recent years, the same, or less? Whether a compromise can be reached before the end of the year remains to be seen.

2027: A Year of Elections, and of Uncertainty

Oettinger’s outlook for 2027 is sceptical. Seven member states go to the polls, including four of the largest: France, Italy, Spain and Poland. We will not know before the end of next year what Europe’s governance will look like.
And governance is exactly what is at stake. On one side, Donald Trump and his erratic politics. On another, Xi Jinping, with China’s influence growing in Africa and beyond. On a third, Putin, who refuses to negotiate. Europe sits in a sandwhich position between them: strong and fairly united on the one hand, weak on the other.
The figures dont lie. In 2000, Europe accounted for around 25% of global GDP, roughly the same as the US, while China stood at 7%. Today the US holds about 28%, China has climbed to around 17% and Europe has fallen to 17%. Europe is no longer competitive. That concerns all of us: citizens, politicians and entrepreneurs. Europe has to do better and do more, and above all it has to invest more in research and development to get out of the sandwich position. Stagnation and recession make it hard to maintain our standard of living. When people worry about how to secure their standard of living for their families and their children, they can become angry. Angry voters turn to the far right or the far left.

In France, everything depends on the centre: Without a strong candidate from the centre, France will be divided between the extreme left and the extreme right. That would affect severely the governance direction of the European Union.

Forget Everything Else: Security, Competitiveness, Debt Sustainability
The message was unmistakable. In the coming years, there will be only three issues: security, competitiveness and debt sustainability. That goes for Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Brussels and the world. Everything else is a sideshow.

Two Election Years That will Decide Europe’s Decision
On top of that come two election years that will shape Europe. In 2027, France, Italy, Spain and Poland go to the polls, four of the largest member states in the Union. The question is simple: where is Europe ‘s governance heading? Le Pen or Tusk? Meloni or Sanchez? In Germany, we like to talk about our own crises. But the real crisis year, with these four elections, is still ahead of us.

In 2029, the Bundestag’s term comes to an end, and in the same year Europe elects a new Parliament. Only if Europe prospers, grows closer and holds together will democratic parties be elected and succeed in the next Bundestag.
Two major election years, three decisive issues.

It’s the economy, stupid!
The numbers are sobering. China is growing by 4 to 5%, India by 6 to 7%. Europe manages about 1%, and Germany is stagnating, struggling with recession and stagnation. Without the massive new borrowing, Germany would be facing a recession.
At the same time, neither society nor the parties show much willingness to accept reforms. The warning was correspondingly stark: if we do not reform this country, Germany will lose its democracy. That is why it all comes down to the economy to competitiveness and growth.  Why aren’t we paying enough attention to our economic strength? Just like on the football pitch, business and politics are about teamwork, precise passes and good headers. Whoever dribbles alone looses the ball.

Trust Instead of Mistrust
Oettinger had critical words for Brussels because Ursula von der Leyen does not put the economy front and centre enough. It’s about jobs, yet incentives for investors are lacking. There has never been as much bureaucracy as there is today!
Trust, not mistrust, must become the watchword. We have to trust our entrepreneurs.

Team Europe Line-Up
Europe needs a strong team and a smart line-up so as not to be crushed in the sandwhich position between Bejing and Washington DC. Europe consists of two groups of member states. One group is small states. The other is states that know they are small.
And Germany? Does Germany know that it is a dwarf, alone, without Europe? Dwarves can only stand up to the giants from Bejing, Washington and Moscow as a team.
Europe must focus on what matters and must not lose itself in trivialities. Security, competitiveness and debt sustainability. Everything else has to wait.

As Dagmar Schuller put it, the real question is what Europe already has and how it can build from it. Talent is not the problem. Europe has top-notch research. The weakness lies in turning that research into products and companies. Germany in particular came up as a culture driven by perfection, where failure is still heavily stigmatised.

“Don’t believe the naysayers”
Schuller, who is also the founder of audEERING, shared her own story. Her company, which built technology for analysing speech, was recently acquired. From the very first moment, she was told it would never work because it was too niche. Her advice to the room was to stop listening to the naysayers. Failure should be analysed, she said, but it is also necessary. What makes the difference is what comes after the failure: learn from your mistakes, persevere and collaborate.

Laura Hirvi then asked the audience whether they believe Europe can compete in the AI race. There was some reason for optimism: 2025 saw a record number of start-ups founded, and around a third of them were directly linked to AI.

A view from Ukraine
Natalia Iskovych brought the perspective of a country outside the EU. How a nation sees itself matters a great deal for today’s security architecture. She reminded the audience that Silicon Valley grew out of military technology, and that Europe once matched or even led the US and China in high tech. Singapore, which started from zero shows what determined catching up can achieve. Europe is in a crisis, she said, but it is also on the verge of huge potential. That requires however openness, including in defence cooperation.

Dresden: chips are the steel of the 21^st century
Moritz Moelle turned the discussion to semiconductors. Europe holds roughly 10% of the global chip market, and about half of the European chip production comes from a single city: Dresden. That didn’t happen by chance. A chip hub needs universities, suppliers and infrastructure, and energy costs remain a serious issue.

Dresden’s success came from a mix of things. Strong research was already there, and government then attracted investment. Today Infineon, Bosch and GlobalFoundries all operate there, after more than 16 years of steady work. The share of electronics in everything we use keeps growing, and so does the number of devices. Chips are “the steel of the 21^st century.” Moritz added that AI will open up a much larger market for autonomous systems and factory robotics. Europe is well positioned in some areas, he said, but it needs speed and a clear technology agenda. “Let’s get to work.”

Munich: from research to application
Pointing to the Draghi report, Schuller stressed that European universities still play a leading role. TUM in Munich is one example, with the number of start-ups there rising sharply. Many people still don’t understand how AI, the large language models in particular, will transform the economy. “This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Munich works because its stakeholders work together. Initiatives such as MunichOne bring researchers, companies and investors around the same table to solve concrete problems. There is also money in Munich, and that matters: it doesn’t work without money, and it doesn’t work with too little. More and more research is turning into companies. The recipe is to build alliances, share and embrace collaboration. The Bavarian government was praised for its support. The panel’s one request to policymakers was to show people what they can do instead of telling them what they can’t, and to listen to what the economy and start-ups need and act on it.

Regulation: from protection to enablement
Regulation ran through the whole discussion. Panellists described it as stifling, creating needless bureaucracy and holding back production capacity, which makes the upcoming Chips Act 2.0 evenmore important. Investment only pays off with scale. That means access to funding, access to markets and rules that companies can realistically comply with. “We all know what we can do and what we must do,” one panellist said. “Now we must act.” Dagmar Schuller called for a holistic view of regulation. Most rules exist to prevent bad things from happening, but too much protection can block implementation. The EU’s omnibus approach signals shift, yet fragmentation between national and European levels, and within Germany’s federal system, still adds complexity. Estonia and Finland show that things can run smoothly. Good examples should lead the way, and decision makers who are often far from the field need to see the impact that is possible.

Our takeaway
Europe has the talent, the research and, in places like Dresden and Munich, ecosystems that work. What it needs now is speed, the courage to fail, enough capital to scale, and regulation that enables. The message from the panel was clear: stop debating and start acting.

You can watch the full presentations of the day on our YouTube Channel.

Turning achievements into resilience
In her welcome, Manica Hauptman (Head of Political Section at the Representation of the European Commission) said Europe reacted decisively when the Russian war against Ukraine exposed dependencies, but the efforts since then have been too slow. Europe needs more grids, stronger connections and deeper integration. Climate goals and competitiveness can go hand in hand. Still, the single market is fragmented, and research and innovation too often fail to scale. Initiatives such as the Chips Act, AI Act, EU Inc and the push for simplification are important steps. Hauptman named risk aversion as one of Europe’s biggest obstacles, and the fiscal single market as the “elephant in the room”, since almost everything including a possible European Defence Union, depends on the budget.

Is Europe Capable of Geopolitics? Daddy will not fix it for us!

Security expert Nico Lange (Founder at IRIS Institute) gave a stark diagnosis. Europe is growing at about 0.3%, while the US, China and India are growing much faster. Now in the fifth year of Russian war against Ukraine, Europe still debates whether to act. Lange argued that Putin’s aim is not a few kilometres of the Donbass but domination over Europe. With the US stepping back from guaranteeing Europe’s defence, Europe must realise that no one else will protect its business model. His priorities were leadership in dual-use technologies such as AI, drones and satellites, the ability to run European military operations, a Capital Markets Union, and treaty change if needed. He also urged leaders to talk to citizens like adults and tell them the truth.

Energy Security is European Security: Why National Energy Policy is no longer the answer

Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50 Hertz, showed what European cooperation delivers. Europe integrated the Baltic grid system and synchronised Ukraine’s grid within days of the invasion. Cross-border projects such as the offshore wind hub in Bornholm cost far less than doing it alone. Unfortunately, national interests still block progress. Kapferer called for a mix of stronger European steering and regional cooperation, especially in the North Sea. He sees the energy transition as a chance to industrialise, based on “Made with Europe” rather than protectionism and with markets kept open to other middle power partners like Japan, South Korea and Canada. He also made business continuity and the protection of critical infrastructure top priorities.

Closing the Gap between Alpbach and Allentsteig

Arthur Krön, Founder of Yourope, compared two places in Austria. One is is Alpbach, where young elites talk about Europe’s global influence. The other is Allentsteig, Austria’s largest military training area, where conversations sound very different. The European idea, he argued needs more Allentsteig and less Alpbach. Pro-Europeans must stop being the sugar-coated party and speak to the whole population.

The Stammtisch offers an opportunity to reflect collectively on Europe’s current political landscape, explore the choices ahead, and exchange perspectives in an open and informal setting.

🗓️ When? Monday, 28 September 2026, 19:00
📍 Where? Brussels

Whether you’re already part of the United Europe community or an invited guest interested in a strong and united Europe — you are warmly welcome.

Elke Braun, Head of Division “Administration, Resources, and Organizational Development” at the State Representation of  Baden-Württemberg to the European Union, will welcome our guests. This will be followed by an impulse talk by Günther H. Oettinger, an open discussion, good wine, and a light dinner.

📩 Please RSVP by 21 September at events@united-europe.eu. Seating is limited – only a few places are still available.

We look forward to seeing you in Brussels!

Changes to the Board

Prof. Dr. Kai Andrejewski has been elected as United Europe’s new Treasurer.

At the General Assembly on 3 November, our long-serving Treasurer and co-founder, Dr Jürgen Großmann, will be appointed  an Honorary Member of the Board in recognition of his exceptional dedication to United Europe.

With this appointment, we wish to honour his many years of voluntary service and express our sincere gratitude and deep appreciation for his invaluable contribution to United Europe.

A Strengthened Management Team

Our Management team has been restructured. Our long-standing Programme Director, Dyria Sigrid Alloussi, will be joined by Maximilian Mörseburg. Together, as Managing Directors, they will lead the work and further development of United Europe.

We look ahead to the next steps with great confidence and look forward to taking them together with our members and partners.

Europe’s future depends on our collective determination to shape it. Let us get to work.

—

A Message from Maximilian Mörseburg
Managing Director and Spokesperson for the Management of United Europe e.V.

Dear Members,

War on our borders, hybrid threats – such as the recent drone alert at Leipzig Airport – and political instability in EU Member States.: our home, Europe, is facing its greatest challenges in 80 years.

To meet these challenges, we need a strong and united Europe. Only then can we Europeans assert our place in the world.

I am delighted to join United Europe as Managing Director and to fly the flag of Europe. I look forward to contributing many years of political experience – most recently as a Member of the German Bundestag – as well as my professional expertise as a lawyer to the work of United Europe.

I greatly look forward to working with you, the Board, and my colleague Dyria Alloussi to help build a diverse and competitive Europe.

Maximilian Mörseburg
Managing Director and Spokesperson for the Management of United Europe e.V.

Against this backdrop, the fifth F.A.Z. European Conference, taking place on September 9, 2026, at the Allianz Forum in Berlin, will address a central question:

How resilient is Europe—economically, technologically, and politically—in a new world order?

Under the theme “Bright Minds Move Europe Forward,” the conference will bring together leading figures from government, business, academia, and strategic institutions. The focus will be on an analytically rigorous dialogue featuring clear positions and well-founded perspectives.

The European Conference will be opened by Günther H. Oettinger, President of United Europe. Other confirmed speakers include Antti Herlin, CEO of KONE; Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz; and Klaus Welle, former Secretary-General of the European Parliament and Academic Chair of the Wilfried Martens Centre. The full program is available on the F.A.Z. European Conference website.

As a long-standing partner of the conference, we warmly invite our members to participate in this important European dialogue.

A limited number of tickets is available for our members. If you are interested in attending, please register with us at events@united-europe.eu.

We would be delighted to welcome you to Berlin on September 9.

Günther H. Oettinger had a clear message for United Europe’s members: Europe faces two defining challenges – security and competitiveness. Security today encompasses far more than military capabilities. It includes cyber resilience, technological sovereignty, energy security, and Europe’s ability to defend its interests in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. Equally important is restoring Europe’s competitiveness and enabling sustainable economic growth across key industries.

Europe has long been a global leader in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and engineering. Yet there is growing concern that Europe is steadily losing ground. Innovation, digital transformation, and industrial competitiveness are advancing more rapidly elsewhere, raising fundamental questions about Europe’s future economic position.

Recent geopolitical developments further illustrate Europe’s diminishing influence. The military action by the US against Iran, undertaken without prior consultation with European allies, prompted uncomfortable but necessary question: Is Europe still shaping global affairs, or is it increasingly becoming a bystander?

Oettinger warned that Europe risks becoming little more than an “open-air museum” – admired for its history, traditions and cultural heritage, but no longer a decisive political or economic force.

Sovereignty through Competitiveness

Oettinger emphasized that genuine sovereignty begins with economic strength. Europe must regain its capacity to innovate, invest and compete globally if it wishes to remain politically influential.

Germany together with its European partners, has a particular responsibility to lead this transformation. At the same time, Europe should broaden its strategic partnerships beyond the traditional transatlantic relationship, with the emerging group of middle powers including Canada, South Korea, Australia, India, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil – which share many of Europe’s interests and could become increasingly important partners in trade, technology, and innovation.

Strengthening these relationships would help Europe avoid finding itself squeezed between the competing interests of the US and China, Oettinger said.

Europe Needs a New Sense of Direction

Beyond economics, Thomas Firnkorn reflected on a growing sense of disorientation across Europe. Reaffirming Europe’s identity and values was seen as equally important as strengthening its economic foundations. He captured this sentiment with the observation: “I am not afraid of a strong Islam. I am afraid of a weak Christianity.”

The statement was not intended as a comment on religion itself, but rather as a reflection on Europe’s confidence on its own cultural and democratic foundations. Europe, he argued, must regain a clearer understanding on its identity, values, and purpose if it wants to act with greater confidence on the world stage.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Only a few decades ago, Europe’s economic performance was broadly comparable to that of the United States. Today, the picture has changed dramatically. While the US has continued to strengthen its economic position and China has experienced extraordinary growth, Europe has fallen behind.

Oettinger’s conclusion was blunt: “Numbers don’t lie. Europe is losing.”

This is not solely the consequence of external developments but also of Europe’s own policy choices. Ambitious initiatives such as Lisbon Strategy, extensive consumer protection legislation, data protection frameworks and the Green Deal all pursue legitimate objectives. Oettinger stressed that these objectives must be balanced carefully with innovation, investment, and economic competitiveness.

Climate policy remains essential, yet Europe contributes only a relatively small share of global greenhouse gas emissions compared to China and the US. Climate leadership should therefore strengthen – not weaken- Europe’s industrial base. The challenge is to reconcile sustainability with competitiveness rather than allowing the two objectives to compete against one another.

Politics Begins with Civic Engagement

Another important theme was democratic participation. Effective government does not begin in Brussels, Strasbourg or Berlin – it begins within society itself.

Whether serving on a local council, a school board, a parish committee, a sports club or a cultural organization, civic engagement forms the foundation of democratic resilience.

Oettinger expressed concern that voluntary engagement is declining, particularly among C-level managers who often withdraw from public life after successful careers. Europe’s future depends not only on political leaders but also on citizens who are prepared to take responsibility within their communities: “We must start with ourselves and with our society.” Oettinger emphasized.

The China Challenge

China’s long-term strategic planning served as a striking contrast to Europe’s often fragmented decision-making.
Looking ahead to 2049, the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party has articulated clear ambitions: to become the world’s leading military power, technological leader, innovation hub and largest economy.

Combined with American leadership in software, AI and digital platforms, Europe risks finding itself caught in a strategic “sandwich” between two global superpowers.

Oettinger argued that Europe lacks ambition and speed. Regulation remains important but without investment, innovation and greater labour market flexibility, Europe risks continued industrial decline.

Example from Germany’s automotive supplier industry – including restructuring and significant workforce reductions at companies such as Mahle, Bosch, ZF and BMW – illustrate the structural pressure facing Europe’s industrial economy.

Three Pillars for Europe’s Future

Otto Schell identified three strategic priorities that should guide Europe’s future:

• Time is the new currency. Europe must accelerate decision-making and implementation. Speed has become a decisive competitive advantage.
• Transforming existing industries. Europe’s traditional industrial strengths must successfully transition into the digital, AI-driven, and sustainable economy.
• Education and talent. Investing in skills, innovation and future generations remains essential for long-term competitiveness.

A Call for Leadership

Oettinger concluded the discussion with an appeal for leadership and optimism. Europe needs pioneers – individuals willing to lead by example in politics, business, academia, and civil society. Leadership cannot be delegated to governments alone. Every citizen has the potential to become a role model and contribute to Europe’s renewal.

Europe continues to possess strengths: a social market economy, democratic institutions, scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent, and a rich tradition of cooperation.

The central question is therefore not whether Europe has potential, but whether it can mobilize the potential with sufficient determination, confidence, and ambition.

The discussion ended where it began: Europe, Quo Vadis? The answer will depend not only on political decisions in Brussels or national capitals, but on Europeans and their willingness to rediscover confidence and identity, invest in education and competitiveness, stand to its values and defend them if necessary and most importantly actively shape its future.

What could a new European model look like?

On 26 June in Munich, Günther H. Oettinger welcomes United Europe members for our Members Talk & Political Stammtisch, where we will explore together how Europe can regain its capacity to act, strengthen its strategic confidence, and rebuild trust in its institutions and societies.

The challenges are clear:
🔹 Leadership vacuums and declining trust
🔹 Increasing geopolitical and economic pressures
🔹 The need to modernize education, innovation, social security, and industrial policy

But Europe’s future will not be shaped by challenges alone. It will be shaped by innovative entrepreneurs, courageous decision-makers, and visionary thinkers who are willing to challenge old assumptions and create new pathways forward.
This conversation is about more than competitiveness. It is about a cultural and societal transition toward a new European operating system—one firmly rooted in European values while prepared for the realities of the 21st century.

📅 26 June 2026
🕔 Members Talk: 17:00
🕖 Political Stammtisch: 19:00
📍 Munich

We warmly invite you to join the discussion, share your perspective, and contribute to shaping Europe’s next chapter.

📩 To participate, please contact us at events@united-europe.eu by 16 June.

We look forward to an evening of valuable networking, inspiring conversations, and meaningful political exchange.

His central criticism focused on the imbalance in Europe’s energy policy over recent years. While the Green Deal became the dominant political priority, affordability and security of supply were increasingly sidelined. This imbalance has weakened Europe’s competitiveness and exposed dangerous strategic dependencies. He called for the return to a genuine “energy triangle” where sustainability, affordability, and security are treated equally rather than ideologically ranked.

Günther H. Oettinger also emphasized that Europe’s future energy demand will increase dramatically. Electrification, electric mobility, AI, cloud services, giga factories, data centers, and industrial transformation will all require significantly more electricity than today. He argued that Europe urgently needs a coordinated infrastructure strategy – from super grids and pipelines to hydrogen corridors and storage capacity – instead of fragmented national approaches.

Another major point Oettinger has raised was the need for technological realism. He criticized ideological blind spots in Europe’s energy debate. Oil, gas, LNG, hydrogen, renewables, nuclear power, and future technologies such as fusion should all remain part of the discussion. Oettinger described diversification repeatedly as essential not only in terms of suppliers, but also technologies and infrastructure.

The debate around nuclear power illustrated Europe’s divisions particularly clearly. While some members states strongly opposed, many others continue to invest heavily in nuclear energy and fusion research. Can Europe afford to ignore such technologies while global competitors continue advancing rapidly?

FAZIT:  Europe needs to move away from energy policy shaped by idealism and ideology and return to a more pragmatic, strategic, and competitive approach focused on resilience, diversification, and industrial strength.

Members Interventions:

The members interventions reflected both frustration and concern about Europe’s current trajectory. Several members argued that the EU’s regulatory approach often fails to reflect economic and industrial realities. While derivatives and targets are designed around decarbonization and efficiency, participants questioned whether they sufficiently account for the enormous future energy needs created by AI, data centers, electrification, and industrial production.

A recurring criticism was that Europe increasingly risks undermining its own industrial base. Members pointed to growing energy price disadvantages compared to the United States and China and warned that companies are already relocating production outside Europe. BASF, Covestro, Bayer, and other industrial players were repeatedly mentioned as examples of this trend. Some participants argued that Europe is slowly “regulating itself out of competitiveness.”

At the same time, members emphasized that the debate should not become a simplistic choice between climate protection and competitiveness. The example of BASF’s operations in China – powered largely through renewable electricity – was raised to show that industrial competitiveness and clean energy are not mutually exclusive if infrastructure and investment conditions are right. The real issue. Participants argued, is whether Europe is creating the conditions necessary to scale such models itself.

The nuclear debate triggered particularly sharp interventions. Several participants pointed out what they viewed as contradictions in the German debate: while Germany phased out nuclear energy domestically, neighboring countries continue building reactors and exporting nuclear energy already – only indirectly and at the cost of strategic inconsistency.

There was also frustration over Europe’s inability to scale innovation. Participants highlighted cases where technologies developed in Europe were commercialized elsewhere, particularly in China or the United States. Questions were raised about why Europe is hesitant to invest boldly in fusion, AI, quantum technologies, and large-scale industrial infrastructure while competitors move ahead more decisively.

Members also warned that Europe may underestimate the urgency of the current situation. Concerns were expressed about industrial decline, job losses, supply vulnerabilities, and the risk of another severe energy crisis. Several participants argued that Europe continues to react too slowly while competitors act with far greater strategic clarity.

United Europe Young Leaders Seminar „Europe Lab 2026“

8 September 2026 | House of the European Union (HdEU), Berlin

Europe is at a turning point — and your ideas matter.

On 8 September 2026, the next generation of European changemakers will gather in Berlin for the United Europe Young Leaders Advocacy Seminar in partnership with the F.A.Z.  „Europe Lab 2026“. Together with experts, policymakers, innovators and fellow young leaders, we will discuss how Europe overcome its challenges and become truly future-ready.

At the seminar, we will present the position papers of the United Europe Working Groups “Powering a Competitive Energy Transition” and “Europe Future Ready” and translate their recommendations into practical policy ideas through interactive workshops and high-level discussions.

What to expect

High-level policy debates

Presentation and discussion of the two position papers with experts, stakeholders and decision-makers from politics, business and civil society.

Interactive workshops

Work in small groups on concrete policy proposals, communication strategies and political priorities for Europe’s future competitiveness.

Exchange with decision-makers

Panels, networking sessions and informal conversations will allow participants to connect directly with leaders from politics, media, business and academia.

Launch of a European social media initiative

Together, we will kick off a coordinated campaign on reducing bureaucracy and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. Participants will contribute ideas, messages and public-facing content as multipliers.

Who should apply?

We are looking for ambitious and engaged young leaders between 25 and 40 years old from across Europe who:

• are passionate about Europe’s future,
• want to contribute ideas and shape debates,
• are interested in policy, innovation, media or public affairs,
• and are eager to connect with other driven young Europeans.

More than just listening

You have ideas, questions and visions — and want to share them?
You believe Europe should not only react, but actively shape the future?
You want to engage with experts and decision-makers instead of watching from the sidelines?

Then the Europe Lab 2026 is the place for you.

Apply now with your CV and a short cover letter at events@united-europe.eu to become part of the next generation shaping Europe. We strongly encourage applications from across the member states and candidate countries and offer support for travel and accommodation costs (subject to terms and conditions).

Agenda

DATE:  Tuesday, May 19, 2026
TIME:   16.30 to to 17.30 hrs CET
FORMAT: Virtual Session via Zoom ​​​
​
Please register your participation until May 15 at events@united-europe.eu.

The Virtual Members Briefing will address Europe’s position in global energy markets against the backdrop of current geopolitical developments, with particular focus on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for oil and LNG shipments. The briefing will explore how rising tensions and potential disruptions could impact European energy security, supply stability and price dynamics. The session aims to provide our members with timely insights and strategic perspective on risks and opportunities in an increasingly volatile global energy landscape.

We look forward to your active participation and meaningful contributions to this important conversation.