The Otto von Habsburg Foundation
and the Institute for Strategic Studies of the University of Public Service
cordially invites you to a joint event entitled
Central European Cooperation in the Shadow of War
Date: June 6, 2023 (Tuesday) 10.00 am
Venue: University of Public Service, Main Building, Széchenyi Ceremonial Hall (Budapest, Ludovika square 2, 1083)
Registration: HERE
„Central European Cooperation in the Shadow of War” is the title of the conference organised by the Otto von Habsburg Foundation and the Institute for Strategic Studies of the University of Public Service, as a continuation of an earlier dialogue: one year ago, on the occasion of the Hungarian V4 presidency, we held a conference entitled “Common Interests, Common Values?” to present the history and broader context of cooperation between the Visegrad countries and Germany, to analyse the prospects for the future, and to examine the geopolitical context and challenges closely intertwined with the war in Ukraine.
On the occasion of the visit of Knut Abraham, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU/CSU) and former diplomat at the German Embassy in Warsaw, we decided to organise a similar event with the participation of Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian experts, to continue the discussion and reflection on the topic. The CDU politician, who began his career as a colleague of Otto von Habsburg in Brussels and Head of the Bonn Office, has an excellent knowledge of the countries of Central Europe, and his insight into the political, economic and social changes of the past decades, as well as his experience in diplomacy and politics, provide a good starting point for a dialogue on the region and its relationship with Germany.
The aim of the discussion is to assess the current political and economic climate and, in this light, to analyse the prospects for V4 cooperation and Germany’s future scope for action in the region. It also aims to provide a forum for a frank exchange of views on recent challenges and possible solutions.
Programme
9.30-10.00 Registration
10.00-10.15 Welcoming addresses
Gergely Deli, Rector, University of Public Service
Gergely Prőhle, Director of the Otto von Habsburg Foundation and the Institute for Strategic Studies of the University of Public Service
10.15-11.45 Presentations and roundtable discussion
Balázs Orbán, Political Director of the Prime Minister, Member of the Hungarian Parliament
Knut Abraham, Member of the German Bundestag, Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Former Diplomat
Ján Figel’, Former Slovak Minister, Former EU Commissioner and Special Envoy
Łukasz Lewkowicz, Senior Analyst, Department of the Visegrad Group, Institute of Central Europe, Lublin
Moderation by Gergely Prőhle
11.45-12.00 Questions
12.00 Closing words
The conference will be held in Hungarian, German, and English, simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
