United in federal diversity: Fourth German-Belgian Conference by EM Germany

Flash lights, TV cameras, and a crush of fans and security: the arrival of the King and Queen of the Belgians at the German-Belgian Conference on 17 February brought a scent of glamour to the Federal Foreign Office, where more than 200 participants from both countries had been discussing all day about how Belgians and Germans would like Europe to be. EM Germany was the proud host of the fourth edition of the bilateral conference. | Full text in German  

“1000 reasons to vote for Europe“ – European Movement campaigns for European elections

‘Cast my vote? Why should I?’ is what many citizens ask themselves when an election is coming up.  In the run up to the European elections in May, the EBD member organisations will provide answers to this question: in an individual election manifesto, all members are invited to give one “good reason to vote for Europe“ from their individual point of view. EM Germany has now published the first of its members’ contributions. | Full text in German

Check out the growing number of reasons to vote at EM International’s Flickr Stream of the campaign! | Link

EMI: Ukraine’s European perspectives: towards EU membership

With potential further bloodshed in Ukraine prevented and Presidential elections on the horizon, the EU must now turn its attention to a show of financial solidarity with Ukrainian citizens and assistance in democratic reforms that could pave the way to EU membership, writes EMI President Jo Leinen, MEP. In light of the ongoing situation, on 6-8 March, a European Movement delegation will travel to Kiev to support the permanent establishment of the pro-European movement in Ukraine. | Full text

A fundamental freedom put to question? EBD Exklusiv on the extension of the free movement of workers

Does the free movement of Rumanian and Bulgarian workers within the EU form a threat to the German labour market, or is this “brain-drain” rather a harm to their home countries? These questions were at the heart of the debates at a high-level “EBD Exklusiv” with the Labour Ministers of the two countries, Mariana Câmpeanu and Hasan Ademov, as well as Jörg Asmussen, new State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. | Full text in German

German-Serbian Civil Dialogue

Serbia’s road to the EU remains rocky, but by no means impassable. What is needed now, are a bigger involvement of the civil society in the negotiation process, a reliable rule of law and the close partnership with Germany. These were the main conclusions of the first “German-Serbian Civil Dialogue“ on 30 and 31 January in Belgrade – co-hosted by the European Movements in Serbia and Germany. | Full text in German

Inside-out? “EBD Exklusiv” on EU-Norway and EU-Switzerland relations

He is Norway’s first ever “Minister for European Affairs“: Vidar Helgesen. When visiting Berlin, he stopped by EM Germany to discuss the ambivalent relations Norway and the EU have. A member of the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1994, more than 80 percent of Norway’s exports go to EU countries. In exchange, Oslo had to incorporate more than 7,000 pieces of EU legislation into national law. | Full text in German

Parasite state? Candidate for the EU membership? The last island of the self-determination bliss? The role of Switzerland in the EU was the subject of an “EBD Exklusiv” with the Secretary General of New European Movement Switzerland Lukas Schürch. HE Tim Guldimann, the Swiss Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the Federal Foreign Office joined the roundtable debate. | Full text in German

EBD Briefing on Hellenic EU Council Presidency

Europe – Our common quest! Under this motto began Greece’s EU presidency, the last of the current Troika Presidency, on 1 January 2014. EM Germany took the opportunity to get a closer look into the next six months of the Presidency in the cooperation with the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, the Federal Government, the Representation of the European Commission and in a dialogue with over 200 guests. | Full text in German

Newsletter “Europe at School“ celebrates its premier

2014 begins with a new service for European education: EM Germany‘s newsletter “Europe at School”. Quarterly, the team running the European Pupils’ Competition will put together innovative educational concepts and teaching materials, funding opportunities and events for everyone interested in European education. | Full text in German

EM Germany presents College of Europe at international career fair of the Federal Foreign Office

What is it like to study at the College of Europe? What funding options are available? Which career options do graduates have? And can Architects or biochemists take off studies at the College? The questions poured at the EM Germany’s stand at the information fair on “careers in international organisations and EU institutions” at the Federal Foreign Office. More than 1,500 visitors took the opportunity to learn more about the career options in an international setting. | Full text in German

Events to come

10.03.: EBD De-Briefing Justice and Home Affairs | 21.03.: Meeting of the Board of European Movement Germany | 24.03.: EBD De-Briefing European Council |24.-28.03.: Meeting of the Jury of the European Pupils’ Competition | 31.03./01.04.: Meeting of the German Selection Committee for the College of Europe | 11.04.: Members Council of European Movement International | and much more

Member Organisations’ News

cep: Default-Index 2014 published | OVID and others: Strengthening competitiveness of agri-business in Germany at global scale | BDEW: French and German energy economy to support energy ministers of both countries | ver.di on Right2Water hearing: protect water as a public good | FES on minimum wage regimes in Europe… and what lessons Germany can draw from them | BAGSO: 100 days to go until the European elections – senior organisations call for participation | DSGV: A “EU savings account” would be a placebo with dangerous side effects | and much more

EU protagonists on the move  

New Foreign Minister for Denmark: Martin Lidegaard | New Head of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s Central and Eastern Europe Office in Warsaw: Irene Hahn-Fuhr | New German Ambassador to Greece: Peter Schoof | New Head of the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Brussels: Günter Lambertz | New State Secretary for Europe in Hessen: Mark Weinmeister | New President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Anne Brasseur | New German ECB Board Member: Sabine Lautenschläger | New EU Director at the Federal Foreign Office: Martin Kotthaus | and much more