Forum Alpbach: Reaffirming the Importance of the Conference on the Future of Europe

More+Events ♦ Published: September 7, 2021; 16:31 ♦ (Vindobona)

The EU ministers from five member states signed the "Alpbach Declaration on the Future of Europe" at the European Forum Alpbach. The five ministers were Judit Varga from Hungary, Thomas Byrne from Ireland, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis from Greece, Juan González-Barba from Spain, and Karoline Edtstadler from Austria. The declaration highlights the necessity for cooperation and dialogue to ensure that the EU has a successful future.

Austrian EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler (middle left): "Now is the moment to debate in which direction the European Union should develop. You have to constantly seek dialogue." / Picture: © Bundeskanzleramt (BKA) / Florian Schrötter

As part of the European Forum Alpbach, the EU ministers and state secretaries for five EU member states signed the “Alpbach Declaration” on the Future of Europe. This included Hungarian Minister Judit Varga, Irish Minister Thomas Byrne, Greek Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Spanish Minister Juan González-Barba, and Austrian Minister Karoline Edtstadler.

The short declaration highlights the necessity for cooperation and dialogue to ensure the success of the European Union going forward. It specifically talks about overcoming major challenges like migration, climate change, terrorism, and COVID-19 together. According to the declaration, they have a common interest in an internationally competitive union that promotes common values, has a strong voice in the world, and has sustainable and innovative economies.

Federal Minister Edtstadler sees this as “a clear commitment to dialogue and broad participation in the EU Conference on the Future of Europe.” She said that central challenges such as climate change, migration, terrorism, and the effects of the pandemic can most effectively be tackled together.

Edtstadler emphasized, “My aim is to set clear impulses for the EU Conference on the Future of Europe from Alpbach and Austria. Now is the moment to debate in which direction the European Union should develop. You have to constantly seek dialogue.”

Regarding the ongoing migration debates, Federal Minister Edtstadler said, “The EU has proven in difficult phases that it can find answers. Based on this experience, we should take precautions so that we are better equipped for future challenges. Pointing fingers at each other does not get us any further.”

Austrian Federal Chancellery