Thirty years ago, the Maastricht Treaty established a European Union between the then 12 Member States of the Community: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. A historic step forward in the construction of Europe, Maastricht continues to have consequences today, with a debatable record on monetary, migration and energy issues.

From a central European, and particularly Hungarian perspective, Maastricht is often seen as a major cause of the European Union's current excesses. The treaty is seen as the expression of a great federalist leap forward, a headlong rush with harmful consequences. An analysis of the events leading up to the signing of this treaty will help us to understand what is at stake in the European Union today.

Our day devoted to Maastricht aims to debate these issues by bringing together experts and players in the European integration, from both Western and Eastern Europe. It will focus on two main issues: the federalist leap forward and the democratic deficit created by Maastricht.

PROGRAM

 

30th Anniversary of the Treaty of Maastricht:

Hidden federalism and democratic denial

 

13.30-14.00: Registration

14.00- 14.10: Opening remarks: Rodrigo BALLESTER, Head of the Centre for European Studies, MCC

14.10- 14.30: Keynote speech: Márton Ugrósdy, Deputy State Secretary for the Political Director's Office

14.30- 15:30: Panel 1: Maastricht: the great federalist leap, or the betrayal of the European project – moderated by Yann Caspar

  • Henri Malosse – Former President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
  • Alvaro Silva – Deputy Director of the Royal Institute of European Studies, San Pablo CEU
  • Balázs Tárnok – Managing Director of the Europe Strategy Research Institute at Ludovika University of Public Service
  • Jerzy Kwaśniewski President - Instytut Ordo Iuris

Coffee break

15:45- 16.45: Panel 2: Maastricht and the democratic deficit: the great divorce with the European people – moderated by Réka Zsuzsánna Máthé

  • Rudy Aernoudt – Former Head of Cabinet of the EESC
  • Julien Aubert – President - Oser la France
  • Ghislain Benhessa – Lawyer
  • Ákos Bence Gát – Head of EU Affairs at MCC Brussels

16:45: Concluding remarks

 

Venue: MCC Budapest, Scruton Café

Our event will be in English. 

The event is free, but registration is required: https://feliratkozas.mcc.hu/hu/form/registration-maastricht-30-0311

Helyszín: MCC Tas vezér utcai képzési központ, Scruton Café

Date: 11.03. 2024 14:00-17:00