Thread by @tepsaeu

We're about to go LIVE 🔴with @CoE_POL to discuss solidarity:

@collegeofeurope's @FedericaMog
@MichaelKaeding, co-editor of the "Views from the Capitals" series
@JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi
@IAIonline's @Poli_Eleonora
and Ramunas Vilpisauskas from IIRPS at @VU_LT

/THREAD

https://twitter.com/collegeofeurope/status/1365281559490797572

.@MichaelKaeding is our host for today's event with @CoE_POL

Welcome to our (highlights from the) online debate on "Solidarity in Action and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals" 💪

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Our keynote speaker kicks things off: @collegeofeurope Rector @FedericaMog will give us her views on #Solidarity and the #FutureofEurope before we get to the contributions of our participants from the TEPSA network

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"When reflecting on solidarity in Europe, we normally focus on internal solidarity: this is probably the most grounded approach given our most recent history within the last five or ten years"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of the @collegeofeurope

/4

"Foreign and security policy is commonly thought of from the perspective of a need to speak with one voice within the Union, but the geography of Europe does not end at the borders of the EU"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of the @collegeofeurope

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"The internal solidarity of the EU remained strong when deadline with foreign policy, especially during the Ukraine crisis"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of the @collegeofeurope

/6

"Sanctions had more of an impact on some member states instead of others, but they have remained strong: this is because of European solidarity: we share common analysis"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of the @collegeofeurope

/7

"The need for unanimity can be seen by some member states as a mechanism for achieving solidarity"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of the @collegeofeurope

/8

"I believe more and more that member states are increasingly relying on the EU's international presence through delegations to protect their citizens abroad"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of the @collegeofeurope

/9

After @FedericaMog's initial keynote intervention, we move over to @JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi for a contribution based on his chapter in the upcoming volume of the "Views from the Capitals" series focusing on Solidarity and the Future of Europe

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"During the last year, Finland celebrated the anniversary of its accession: rather than join primarily for the economic benefits, Finland joined primarily for the security benefits, particularly in the wake of the Cold War"

- @JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi

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"Finland aims to get the most out of its security relationship with the EU, and together with France, highlights the importance of mutual assistance"

- @JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi

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"Finland has noted the seeming limited enthusiasm towards solidarity in security and defense, for a number of reasons including @NATO's key role"

- @JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi

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"Against Finland's security background, being self-reliant and resilient can be seen as a manifestation of solidarity"

- @JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi

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Thanks to @JuhaJokela1 from @FIIA_fi for elaborating on how solidarity is not only discussed in economic terms, but also in areas of security and defense

We move over now to @Poli_Eleonora from @IAIonline, another chapter author from the upcoming book on Solidarity

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"#COVID19 was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of Italian solidarity within the EU: it was already heavily Eurosceptic, but now over 70% think the pandemic demonstrated the complete failure of the Union"

- @Poli_Eleonora from @IAIonline

/16

"Italy was actually one of the countries which received the most solidarity from Europe: Italian #COVID19 patients went to Germany, Poland provided doctors, and the Institutions gave a number of plans including #NextGenerationEU"

- @Poli_Eleonora from @IAIonline

/17

"What stuck in the minds of Italians is the first month of the pandemic, where China and Russia were simply better at communicating to Italians how much they were trying to help, whereas the EU weren't able to communicate as effectively"

- @Poli_Eleonora from @IAIonline

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"You still won't have a majority of Italians thinking the EU is 'useless', but there is a general perception that the EU is only good when it provides material benefit"

- @Poli_Eleonora from @IAIonline

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"The main issue I see in Italy is one of economic, social, cultural insecurity: the way the government implements post-COVID EU funding will be key"

- @Poli_Eleonora from @IAIonline

/20

We now turn to Ramunas Vilpisauskas from @VU_LT, to speak on the views of Lithuania on European solidarity

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"There are some variations, but the traditional priorities of Lithuania within the EU remain unchanged"

- Ramunas Vilpisauskas from @VU_LT

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"Money, geopolitics, and freedoms inside the EU remain important in Lithuania"

- Ramunas Vilpisauskas from @VU_LT

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"In Lithuania, we also see a responsibility to help others financially, so our attitudes towards money within the EU remain the same"

- Ramunas Vilpisauskas from @VU_LT

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"In geopolitics, helping our neighbours to the East remains hugely important: we supplied Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, and more with medical supplies at the beginning of the #COVID19 pandemic"

- Ramunas Vilpisauskas from @VU_LT

/25

"After this first round of input, we can collect a couple of questions in the chat"

@MichaelKaeding, co-editor of the TEPSA books on the #FutureofEurope: "Views from the Capitals" opens the floor for the Q&A session💪

/26

"#Brexit is the perfect example of EU solidarity: Dublin in particular was showered with solidarity, and all member states stood behind the negotiation team"

- @MichaelKaeding, co-editor of the TEPSA books on the #FutureofEurope: "Views from the Capitals"

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"If we are obliged to commit to mutual support, this would no longer be a question of solidarity, but of obligation"

- @FedericaMog, Rector of @collegeofeurope

/28

"In the end, it's about OUR future"

- @MichaelKaeding highlights the key point of solidarity in Europe!

/29

On that note, @MichaelKaeding closes our event "Solidarity in Action and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals" held with @CoE_POL

Thanks to our participants @FedericaMog, @JuhaJokela1, @Poli_Eleonora, and Ramunas Vilpisauskas!

/ENDS

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