Paneuropean Working Group

The Paneuropean Working Group in the European Parliament was established in 1985 by Otto von Habsburg.[1] It aims at bringing Members of the European Parliament together, who follow the vision and principles of Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi. Already after the end of the First World War, he formulated his thoughts about a common Europe in freedom, rule of law and peace.[2]

Since 2009, the Austrian Member of the European Parliament, Paul Rübig is the elected President of the Working Group, after he had served already several years as Vice-President. Previous presidents were Nicolas Estgen, Leo Tindemans (1994-1999) and Ingo Friedrich (1999–2009).[3]

Activities

Once a month, every Tuesday during the Strasbourg plenary week of the European Parliament, the Working Group invites high-ranking personalities from politics, business, religions and culture into the European Parliament. The group wants to encourage networking between the Members of the European Parliament, in order to establish open debates and to find common solutions for the problems of a common in a globalized world. Additionally, the group also organizes also events in Brussels.

Past Events[4]
Date Speaker Function Topic
16 April 2013 Nikola Poposki Foreign Minister of the Republic of Macedonia State of Play and Prospects in the EU accession process of Macedonia
12 March 2013 Enver Hoxhaj Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Kosovo, five years of statehood: Success stories and challenges
26 February 2013 Jan Tombinski Head of the EU Delegation in Ukraine 2013 - Decision year of Ukraine
5 February 2013 Hans-Gert Pöttering, Arnaud Danjean, Alain Terrenoire Current and former Members of the European Parliament 50 years of Elysée Treaty: The French-German friendship as driving force for Europe?
15 January 2013 Samir Khalil Samir Professor for Christian-oriental theology and Islamism in Beirut, Paris, Rom Where is the Arab Spring? What could be the European contribution?
11 December 2012 Walter Spindler Deputy Commander of Eurocorps Eurocorps - 50 years after the Elysée Treaty
20 November 2012 Peter Turkson President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Freedom of religion and the discrimination and persecution of Christians
11 September 2012 Jean-Claude Mignon President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe The European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
3 July 2012 Franjo Komarica Bishop of Banja Luka The political situation of Bosnia-Herzegovina

References

  1. ↑ Dafür lebte Otto von Habsburg, Paneuropa Union Germany, retrieved 16 April 2013.
  2. ↑ Selbstbeschreibung, Homepage of the Paneuropean Working Group, retrieved on 16 April 2013.
  3. ↑ Ingo Friedrich übergibt den Vorsitz der Paneuropa-Arbeitsgruppe im Europäischen Parlament, Presse release of Dr. Ingo Friedrich, 24 June 2009.
  4. ↑ List of past events, Homepage of the Paneuropean Working Group, retrieved on 19 April 2013.