COVID-19 Pandemic

Continuing to combat the pandemic, improving structures, rethinking treaties – Dr. Thomas Steffen, State Secretary of the German Ministry of Health, discussed a European Health Union together with the guests of the Lunch Debate.

From Civic activism in Kazakhstan during Covid-19, to the impact of the pandemic on gender-based violence in Uzbekisten and Kyrgyzstan and digital activism in Turkmenistan: These are the topics of the Eurasia Lab research teams from September to December 2021.

Annette Dittert, ARD London, discussed the impact of Brexit on the media landscape, bilateral relations and Scottish independence. In addition, the Corona crisis is overshadowing the talks between the EU and the UK.

The recent reform of enlargement policy is not enough, although now is the time to move from talk to action. Pragmatic optimism and geopolitical realism would help to break the negative spiral of corona, reform and enlargement fatigue.

Gunther Krichbaum, MdB, Chairman of the Committee on European Union Affairs discussed EU migration policy, the investment agreement with China and the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Despite the significant negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Ukrainian economy, the long-term outlook leaves room for optimism. This is due to national financial aid measures as well as international cooperation with the European Union.

Daniel Freund, MEP Greens/European Free Alliance, discussed what influence the pandemic has on euroscepticism in Germany and Europe and how the EU can decisively counter this development.

The debate had mainly focused on how to create stable investment conditions in the long term despite the unresolved conflict in eastern Ukraine. The guests emphasised the importance of judicial reform and the dissemination of success stories.

The crisis management of the EU during the Corona pandemic was discussed by Katarina Barley, Peter Clever and Ulrich Silberbach. There was also an outlook on the upcoming EU Council Presidency and its priorities.

Sabine Weyand, Director General for Trade at the European Commission, discussed coping strategies for the EU in the Corona crisis, its strategic position in the global economy and the global recession.

Peter Kleine, Mayor of Weimar, and Jochen Butt-Posnik, Europe for Citizens, discussed town twinning and its funding opportunities at EU level. These partnerships can establish a living exchange that reduces prejudices and promotes dialogue.

The advantages and disadvantages of the EU recovery program were discussed by European law expert René Repasi and MEP Sven Schulze. Moreover, it is necessary to deepen European integration and strengthen the European sense of community.

What reform policies is the new Moldovan government pursuing? What is the thematic focus? Are relations with Russia or the EU being strengthened? Experts from Moldova discussed these and other questions on the assessment of the situation in the shadow of the pandemic.