Friends of Europe

Friends of Europe has decided to discontinue its activities on this account. You can find us instead on: 🔗LinkedIn - 'Friends of Europe' 🔷Bluesky - @friendsofeurope.bsky.social 📸Instagram - @friendsofeurope For more information about the reasons behind this move, check out the link below ⤵️ tinyurl.com/yc48u59m

🚨Europe is at a crossroads. Faced with geopolitical tension, growing security challenges and rising social inequality, Europe’s continued relevance and prosperity will come from its capacity to act with unity, clarity and confidence. 👉To meet these challenges head-on, Friends of Europe is proud to organise its annual Festival of Politics and Ideas – State of Europe, where 200+ influential figures from more than 40 countries reflect on the choices required to move from ambition to action. Find more information about this year's State of Europe here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/events/state-o…

📍 How can we craft a more equitable Europe for our young people? Ask them. Each year, @FriendsofEurope brings together the young leaders shaping Europe's present to debate solutions for Europe's tomorrow. 💬In their own countries, cities and communities, European Young Leaders (#EYL40) play an essential role in reconnecting people with and rebuilding trust in politics by engaging a wider community around key policy issues. They are facilitating civic participation in a more inclusive, sustainable and forward-looking Europe. 🗓️At the Summit in May, the #EYL40 cohort will discuss with senior decision-makers, key European actors and citizens, equipping a new generation of leaders to carry forward a common European vision well beyond Europe Day. 🔍Find more info on the #EYL40 programme here ⤵️ tinyurl.com/3p5xravf 📝Find the Summit agenda here ⤵️ tinyurl.com/vjuppfay

⚠️Hybrid warfare, foreign election interference and under-developed defence systems — how can we keep Europe safe? In our Peace, Security and Defence programme, we tackle questions on everything security: from how we can protect democracy while building robust defences to the lack of inclusivity in the armed forces, to how Europe can overcome enlargement stagnation. Find here some of our key initiatives: 🇺🇦 Ukraine Initiative 👉shorturl.at/9YAGT 🔜 Balkan Journey 👉shorturl.at/uQblg 📣 Frontline Voices 👉 shorturl.at/I2Z8M

❓Completing the Single Market is key to Europe's competitiveness, autonomy and growth - so what's holding us back? In order to complete the Single Market by 2028, the #DelorsFoEFoundation has launched its Single Market Initiative - bringing together different stakeholders from across Europe to form a Coalition of Action and advocate with a single voice for the Single Market. Now more than ever, Europe must have unity - because without a Single Market, we surrender our future independence. Find out more about the Single Market Initiative here 👉shorturl.at/TrzAA

🔜At the end of the week, Friends of Europe will deactivate this X account. If you're wondering where you can find more of our sharp analysis, check out our weekly #CriticalThinking newsletter on LinkedIn, keeping you up to date with the latest expert insights on key policy issues shaping Europe and beyond. Subscribe and don't miss a beat ⤵️ tinyurl.com/bdhxa47y

📆 NEXT WEEK | How can Europe innovate and complement existing defence structures with lessons from Ukraine? In collaboration with @DelorsInstitute, @FriendsofEurope will host an online #FoEDebate identifying Ukrainian lessons that could provide a much-needed update to Europe's defence ecosystem. For this discussion, we are delighted to welcome our esteemed speakers: 🎙️@TomaszHusak, Director of Defence Policy @defis_eu 🎙️Marco Lotz, Governmental Relations Manager @Quantumdrones & Chair of the Ukraine Working Group @ASDEurope 🎙️@Piilaadzis, Adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence @MoD_Latvia Register to join the debate 👉shorturl.at/KEWAT Learn more about the event 👉shorturl.at/wjgd9

❗Pitching in bombs and hoping for the best is not a recipe for democracy. In this #CriticalThinking article, PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea reviews President Trump's actions, cross-references present day events with historical lessons and examines Europe's role in the unfolding crisis in its backyard. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

♀️🛡️Gender equality in our armed forces is about more than just representation — it's about embedding gender-equal practices at the heart of defence and security. In this #CriticalThinking article, 6 researchers across the EU examine how the Women, Peace and Security (#WPS) agenda is interpreted in 3 member states. Because the question is not whether WPS belongs in Europe’s agenda, but whether Europe is prepared to meaningfully embed women’s leadership. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti… @lvuniversity @FHNW

💡Young people see democracy as a living process, not just a checkbox. In this #CriticalThinking article by Alessandra Cardaci, Head of Programming and Operations at @DebatingEurope, she argues that co-designing policies with Europe's young people is key to safeguarding its future. Because young people are not only willing to lead but ready to do so – if given the tools. Read the article here ⤵️ shorturl.at/rUcbm

⚡If used well, the Grids Package can revolutionise Europe's aging energy grids. Last week, Friends of Europe partnered with @Google to host a thought-provoking #FoEDebate on the power of grids. Because while Europe has done well in rolling out renewables, long connection queues, insufficient grid capacity and slow permitting are increasing the costs for consumers. Key takeaways 🔹Europe must ensure that renewable energy remains affordable 🔹Big digital players have a responsibility to act as “good grid citizens" 🔹At the same time, governance must be cohesive and consistent 🔹The grids package is key to delivering affordable renewable energy across the continent Thank you to our esteemed speakers and participants! 🔍Find out more about the event : shorturl.at/2XjeP 📷Check out the photo album : shorturl.at/rZXNW @micha_bloss @TomHowes_EU @Laura_Cozzi

🚨 Washington's recent aggression clearly defines an America-first worldview — but what about Europe? In this #CriticalThinking article by Chief Spokesperson for @FriendsofEurope, @DharmendraBIG warns that Europe will only succeed if underpinned by social cohesion and a Renewed Social Contract – recognising that Europe’s social model is part of a foundation that must be strengthened, not feared. Read the article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

❗Connectivity must be considered critical infrastructure if Europe is to deliver on its many policy promises, from decarbonisation to affordable energy. In this #CriticalThinking article, Joakim Reiter, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer @VodafoneGroup, argues that connectivity is also essential to Europe's overall resilience, inclusion and strategic autonomy. Read the article here 👇 friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

🤝After years of separation, could a new EU-UK defence partnership be on the horizon? Read this #CriticalThinking piece by former @NATO spokesperson and PSD Senior Fellow Jamie Shea on how London can demonstrate renewed commitment to collaboration with the rest of the continent ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…

🛡️Beyond the frontlines, Europe fends off internal attacks on democracy, disinformation and rising polarisation. How can we safeguard Europe's autonomy? In this #CriticalThinking article, PDS Senior Fellow Gabor Iklody examines how Russia is waging war inside Europe, and calls for European leaders to adapt and reform in response to these hybrid threats. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti… #Ukraine #Defence

🔑For decades, European ports were treated primarily as commercial gateways. Today, they are something far more important. But we need a European approach. In this #CriticalThinking article, MEP @susanasolisp lays out the key pillars a European Port Strategy must rest on in order to align with Europe's long-term interests — and argues that a successful Ports Strategy is not about closing doors. Read the full article here ⤵️ friendsofeurope.org/insights/criti…