Thinking about the future of the EU is imperative at this point in time. In the context of this possible squeeze between the push for deeper integration and rising public resentment about the way ‘Brussels’ runs affairs, the seminar will deal with the question whether subsidiarity can offer a way forward that reconciles needs for better EU governance and concerns about legitimacy.

European reforms

The eurocrisis has ignited discussions on needs and formats for deeper integration. Proposals that have been presented vary from steps towards a ‘deep and genuine economic and monetary Union’ to British Prime Minister Cameron’s suggestion to organise an ‘in/out’ referendum in the UK in 2017. The Dutch government presented the results a subsidiarity exercise in June 2013, identifying a series of policy areas where it felt that the EU could be less actively involved. Yet, irrespective of the levels of trust the public has in national governments, confidence in the EU is falling.

One way or the other, subsidiarity has been raised at different levels of government. This seminar hopes to take stock of the state of the subsidiarity debate and see what opportunities it holds in store for the next years. In the run-up to the European elections in May 2014 and the appointment of a new European Commission, the seminar will serve as a basis for further discussion and decision-making by European ministers.

Participation and Organization

The seminar is organization by the Clingendael Institute and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Participation in the seminar is on invitation only.