Agenda

Welcome Remarks
Introduction: Symeon G. Tsomokos, Delphi Economic Forum
Margaritis Schinas, Vice - President, Promoting our European Way of Life, European Commission
Ioannis Vrailas, Permanent Representative, Greece to the EU

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Fireside Chat
Margaritis Schinas, Vice - President, Promoting our European Way of Life, European Commission
Alexis Papahelas, Director, Kathimerini Newspaper, Greece

Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President, Democracy and Demography, European Commission
Chair: Athanasios Ellis, Editor in Chief, Kathimerini English Edition

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has severely destabilized most regions of the world and the Balkan region could not be an exception. Due to their geographical and cultur al proximity to the war front, the Balkans are once again engulfed in a dangerous bras de fer between the West and Russia, China and other autocratic powers. How can the international community manage these nascent strategic challenges and seek a return to stability?

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Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution, Republic of Austria
Nikos Christodoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs (2018-2022), Republic of Cyprus
Martin Dvořák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
Nicola Dimitrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs (2017-2020), Republic of North Macedonia
Thanos Dokos, National Security Advisor to the Greek Prime Minister
Chair: Roland Freudenstein, Vice President, and Head, GLOBSEC, Brussels

The effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have shaken European mainstream thinking on multiple fronts. With inflation and energy prices skyrocketing throughout Europe for the first time since the introduction of the Euro and national debts soaring due to increased spending, can this event become a turning point to rethink the EU’s economic strategy and economic relations with autocratic countries?

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George Pagoulatos, Director General, ELIAMEP
Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director, Bruegel
Reinhard Felke, Director for policy, strategy and communication, DG ECFIN at European Comission
Megan Greene, Senior Fellow, M-RCBG, Harvard Kennedy School
Elena Giannakopoulou, Director of Strategy, Public Power Corporation S.A.
Chair: Nikos Chrysoloras, Senior Media Officer, European Investment Bank

Cohesion policy is a central tenet of the EU’s promise to current and future Member States: an assurance that no country gets left behind no matter its economic status. How can cohesion policy be strengthened to support large infrastructure projects that can change the economic and growth prospects of whole countries?

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Ioannis Xifaras, Secretary General of Transport, Hellenic Republic<
Kim Jørgensen, Director-General and Permanent Representative, EIB
Marc Sadler, Program Leader for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, World Bank Group
Christos Gofas, Senior Expert for Socio-Economic Development, European Commission
Roumen Markov, MEng, General Manager, Large Infrastructure Projects Ltd
Dr. Eng. Ivan Katsarov, Executive Director, Bulgarian Forum for Transport Infrastructure
Chair: George Kremlis, Princ. Advisor to the Greek PM, for Energy, Climate, Environment & Circular Economy

For most countries in SouthEast Europe, EU accession feels more and more like an elusive dream. Stuck in years long negotiations with incremental progress, countries in the Balkans are losing hope and exploring alternatives to EU accession. Can the geopolitical shifts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine bring new impetus to the enlargement process and keep SouthEast Europe in the Western fold?

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Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Western Balkans
Anita Richter, Acting Head, Southeast Europe Division Global Relations &Cooperation Directorate, OECD
Chair: Dimitris Apokis, Journalist, International Relations Analyst, ERT, Greece

Large parts of Europe are defined by their relationship with the sea, Europe’s great rivers and other water elements. Europe’s Blue Economy strategy is set to not only generate sustainable economic output but also act as a windshield for the continent's unparalleled maritime and riparian cultural and natural heritage. How is Europe faring in managing this challenge? 

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Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Ocean and Fisheries, European Commission 
Sneška Quaedvlieg–Mihailović, Secretary General, Europa Nostra
Chair: George Kremlis, Princ. Advisor to the Greek PM, for Energy, Climate, Environment & Circular Economy

Introduction: Symeon G. Tsomokos, Delphi Economic Forum
Alexandros Mallias, Amb. (ret) of the Hellenic Republic to Washington D.C. (2005-2009)

The European Union and Israel share a long common history, marked by growing interdependence and a firm belief in common values. Israel is a privileged partner of the bloc, enjoying advanced trade relations, cultural exchanges, and political cooperation. Can this partnership become a crucial aspect for a renewed sense of security and cooperation in the region? Can the EU truly become the honest broker on the conflicts and divisions the region is mired in?

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H. E Haim Regev, Ambassador - Head of Mission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel
Anna – Michelle Asimakopoulou, Member, European Parliament

For most countries in SouthEast Europe, EU accession feels more and more like an elusive dream. Stuck in years long negotiations with incremental progress, countries in the Balkans are losing hope and exploring alternatives to EU accession. Can the geopolitical shifts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine bring new impetus to the enlargement process?

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Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner of Neighborhood and Enlargement, European Commission (video message)
Megi Fino, Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Republic of Albania
Faruk Kaymakci, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of EU Affairs, Republic of Turkey
Meglena Kuneva, Ambassador of the European Union to the Council of Europe
Evangelos Kalpadakis, Dipl. Advisor to the President of SYRIZA & Leader of the Main Opposition
Thomas Hagleitner, Head of Unit, D1: Western Balkans Policy & Regional Strategy, European Commission
Chair: Ian Lesser, Vice President, The German Marshall Fund of US

Content Partner: German Marshall Fund Turkey is the oldest EU accession candidate, submitting its application to enter the Union as far back as 1987. But growing enlargement fatigue political developments in the EU and Ankara’s descent towards autocracy have called this process into serious question. With EU-Turkey relations at their lowest point in decades, can the partnership be salvaged?  

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Ioannis N. Grigoriadis, Head of Turkey Program, ELIAMEP
Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı, Director, Ankara Office, German Marshall Fund of the US
Laura Batalla Adam, Secretary General, Turkey Forum, European Parliament
Alexandros Yannis, Deputy Head of Policy Planning and Strategic Foresight EEAS, European Union, Brussels
Nacho Sánchez Amor, Rapporteur for Turkey, European Parliament
Chair: Ian Lesser, Vice President, The German Marshall Fund of US

Maintaining a healthy environment of competition between private companies has been both a target and a signature EU policy for decades. How does EU State aid and competition policy support the European economy? What would a Europe without stringent competition rules look like?

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Olivier Guersent, Director General for Competition, European Commission
Chair: Symeon G. Tsomokos, Delphi Economic Forum

The current energy crisis has complicated the EU’s response to the existential threat of climate change. At the same time, the Union is waking up to a new world where energy independence is key to maintaining geopolitical muscle. Can the Union sustain its resolve to address the climate emergency & keep its geopolitical autonomy by exploring new energy avenues?

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Kostas Skrekas, Minister of Environment &Energy, Hellenic Republic
H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Ambassador, Head of Mission, Arab Republic of Egypt to the EU
Mario Nava, Director General, Directorate-General “Structural ReformSupport” European Commission
Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency
Vladimir Asenov Malinov, Executive Director, Bulgartransgaz
Maria Rita Galli, CEO, DESFA
Chair: Basil Gavalas, Head of international relations at DIKTIO Network for Reform in Greece & Europe