Panel 2 The Future Role of the EU: Europe as Ever Closer Union?

16TH MUNICH ECONOMIC SUMMIT: Reshaping Europe
Munich, 4–5 July 2018

Chair: John Peet, Political Editor, The Economist, London
Giuseppe Bertola, Professor of Economic Policy, University of Torino; Member of the European Economic Advisory Group (EEAG), Munich
Jerzy Kwieciński, Minister of Investment and Economic Development, Republic of Poland, Warsaw
Liliana Pavlova Nikolova, Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council 2018, Sofia
Sir Ivan Rogers, Former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union, Brussels

The world is changing fast and Europe seems to be lurching from one emergency to the next. In addition to inherent differences and tensions, Europe faces a host of (economic) challenges including high youth unemployment, the currency union, the UK decision to leave the EU, migration pressures, security concerns, uncertain transatlantic relations and geopolitical threats, the risks and opportunities of digitalisation, and the rise of “anti-EU” movements and political parties.
Currently representatives of European governments and the EU are actively discussing the idea of further deepening the EU. Large swathes of the European population, however, harbour concerns over deeper integration and further transfers of power to EU institutions. But what is the best way of achieving greater European cohesion? How will and should the future of Europe look in this uncertain environment? How can Europe solve its inherent crisis and what does it require for a successful relaunch? What should be the role, constitution and competences of the EU and the currency union?
To address these fundamental questions, the Munich Economic Summit as a European economic policy forum matters more than ever. By covering topics that address Europe’s current challenges and opportunities, the summit in 2018 aims to provide constructive and positive contributions to greater European cohesion and prosperous development. The summit under the topic “Reshaping Europe” will deal with issues like Europe’s role and competitiveness in an uncertain and digital world, the stability of the financial sector, governance of the European Monetary Union and Eurozone Fiscal Policy, as well as the internal constitution, future role and (dis)integration process of the EU.

ifo Institut – Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung an der Universität München e.V.