COVID-19 as a wake-up call? Perspectives for a Europe of Mutual Solidarity

Public evening event

In the framework of the Dresden Forum for International Politics 30 June 2022

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic and its impercussions have dominated the agenda of the EU.
Many EU states prioritzed national interests over European solidarity. Lack of coordination regarding health equipment, lack of joint effort to stop the spread of the virus and, last but not least, the closure of intra-European borders were the consequences. The collective shock at this lack of solidarity was followed by intensive efforts to take joint action. The cross-border support in the intensive care of Corona patients or the joint purchase of vaccines are often cited as positive examples of European cooperation. But in dealing with the (primarily) economic and social consequences of the pandemic, we will have to observe to what extent the EU Member States are willing to prioritize joint action over short-term national interests and thus secure lasting peace within Europe. With Russia's attack on Ukraine and the resulting refugee movement, solidarity within the European Union is once again being tested.

What lessons can be drawn from the handling of the Covid-pandemic and the reaction to the attack on Ukraine for solidarity-based action by the EU? How can better intra-European crisis management succeed from the outset in the future? Do competences between the nation states and the EU need to be reorganised, for example around health policy? And what would a strengthened inner-European cohesion mean for the EU's role on the world stage?

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These and more questions will be addressed by high-ranking representatives from national and international politics at the public evening event in the Frauenkirche Dresden on 30 June from 19:00 to 21:00. We are looking forward to welcoming Minister President Michael Kretschmer, Dr. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, former President of Latvia and member of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission, as well as Manfred Weber MEP and Dr. Tomáš Jelínek, Managing Director of the German-Czech Future Fund.

When? 30. June, 7 - 9 pm

Where? Frauenkirche Dresden

Language: English/German (simultaneos translation)

Register: until 23  June here

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