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, and Member States and EU institutions really have to commit substantial financial resources. As major beneficiaries and considering the current political situation, the countries of Central Europe will play a substantial role 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, which may voice their concerns and oppose a reduction of the part dedicated to agricultural subsidies. Last but not least, the demand Cohesion funds is still there, while the European Commission may decide to use the budgetary leverage as a response to Rule of Law threats observed in Poland and Hungary.

In order to shed the light and explain these crucial issues, Eulalia Rubio will have the opportunity to debate with Andrzej Sadecki, Research Fellow, Center for Eastern Studies (OSW), Zuzana Kasakova, Associate Research Fellow, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, and Zsolt Darvas, Senior Fellow, Bruegel, Brussels

If you want more information on this event, you can consult the programme, enclosed to this announcement.