Youth and Politics: Recent public votings in some Member States such as Poland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom show that only a very small amount of youngsters are participating in and attending the elections. What measures should the EU take in order to increase the political participation of the youth and make voting more appealing to young citizens?
The EU faced a lot crises during recent years, seemingly unable to respond immediately and/or sufficiently. Also, for the first time in its history a Member State is about to leave the EU, apparently dissatisfied by its main principles and decision-making procedures. How can structural reform help the EU to deal with current and future challenges more efficiently?
EU-Turkey Relations – Time for the Constructive Dialogue: In the aftermath of the Turkish coup d'état attempt in July 2016, Turkey faces difficult times, as do its relations with the EU. How can the EU and Turkey cooperate closely in order to improve the public safety while preserving the civil liberties and democratic values in Turkey?
EU’s Energy Mix Raises Multiple Concerns: Member States are strongly dependent on import of oil and gas from foreign countries such as Russia, nuclear plants form a possible threat in insecure times, while the use of fossil fuels causes Global Warming and increasing renewable energy production might endanger the competitiveness of EU Businesses. Taking into account all of these facts, how can the EU ensure safe and sustainable energy supply?
In light of ongoing xenophobic and Islamophobic movements towards refugee and immigrant populations, what measures should the EU take to eliminate racial discrimination?
Formally launched in 1988, the EU Cohesion Policy is the main instrument for improving economic and social cohesion within the European Union. Despite decades-long efforts and more than one third of the EU’s budget devoted to this policy for the 2014-2020 period, many of the regions have not converged towards the EU average. What approach should the EU Cohesion Policy adopt in the 2020-2026 funding period to support lagging regions in the best way?
Right of Asylum vs. National Security: Following the influx of refugees from war-torn regions in Africa and the Middle East, and in response to threats imposed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), several Member States have decided to re-introduce border control which will put the Schengen Agreement at risk. What policy should the European Union employ in order to protect its external and internal borders while also preserving the refugees’ human rights?
Heightened risk of Terror Threat in Europe: Over the past two years, deadly terrorist attacks and attempts across Europe have left many citizens living in fear. What more can the EU do in order to enhance the security and prevent acts of terrorism from happening within the EU and outside its borders?