Press release: for immediate release
FMA Reflection Group on the Future of the European Union
The European Parliament Former Members’ Association (FMA) welcomes the signature of a Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe by the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister, António Costa, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council. This agreement lays the foundations for the launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, creating a new space for debate with citizens to address both the challenges Europe is facing and its priorities for the future.
Given the unique expertise and experience of former Members of the European Parliament, who maintain direct links with constituencies and civil society, and are still actively involved in political, academic and intellectual life, the FMA has decided to contribute to the Conference on the Future of Europe. A Reflection Group on the Future of the European Union, made up of a number of eminent FMA members who have made a significant contribution to the development of the European project, has been established to foster debate on the challenges the EU is facing. The Group is chaired by the FMA President and Former President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering:
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Hans-Gert PÖTTERING, President of the FMA and former President of the European Parliament (Chair)
Enrique BARON CRESPO, former President of the European Parliament and of the FMA (Spain, S&D, 1986-2009) Elmar BROK, former MEP (Germany, EPP, 1980-2019) Pat COX, former President of the European Parliament and of the FMA (Ireland, ALDE, 1989-2004) Monica FRASSONI, former MEP (Italy, Greens, 1999-2009) Genowefa GRABOWSKA, former MEP (Poland, SOC, 2004-2009) Zita GURMAI, former MEP (Hungary, S&D, 2004-2014) Kaja KALLAS, former MEP (Estonia, ALDE, 2014-2018) Alain LAMASSOURE, former MEP (France, EPP, 1989-1993/1999-2019) |
The Reflection Group will monitor the discussions and work of the Conference on the Future of Europe, providing contributions and proposals on the most urgent and imperative issues. The Conference on the Future of Europe can represent an opportunity for a wide-ranging debate on the challenges the EU is facing. The FMA, with the invaluable expertise pooled within this Reflection Group, wants to contribute to this debate, helping to define the shape of the European Union for many years to come.
At the end of 2020, the FMA held a series of public debates entitled ‘Together for the Future of Europe’, jointly organised with Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, the European Progressive Studies Foundation, the European Liberal Forum, the Green European Foundation and the European University Institute. The aim of these debates was to raise awareness and inform EU citizens. You can watch the videos here.
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