The FP7 project in which BCSDN is partner in – “Maximizing the integration capacity of the EU” – MAXCAP had its final conference from 22-23 January 2016 in The Hague. The conference was organized by one of the MAXCAP co-coordinating partners, the Leiden University’s Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs.
The conference brought together prominent academics, policy makers, civil society representatives and the broader public to discuss and reflect on the key findings on the effects and prospects of EU enlargement and discuss their policy implication across member states and enlargement countries.
The conference was organized in four thematic sessions, corresponding to address the main questions that MAXCAP aims to address:
– Political and Economic Effects of Enlargement on New Members, Candidates and Neighbours
– The Effects of Enlargement and the Relationship Between Widening and Deepening
– Modes of Political and Economic Integration in the EU and Their Effectiveness
– Integration Capacity for the Future? Changing Strategies and Citizens’ Perceptions
Our Policy and Advocacy Officer, Biljana Spasovska, participated in the fourth session, discussing what citizens want and why it matters for the Enlargement process. Two public round tables, at the end of each day were organized aimed to address the policy issues and developments affecting enlargement and offer an opportunity to reflect on the implications of current developments for EU enlargement.
On 
22nd February the roundtable themed “The European Union and enlargement in difficult times: Deadlock or new impetus?” hosted Mr. Simon Mordue, Director ‘Strategy and Turkey’ in the DG NEAR who gave a keynote speech, followed by discussion with Prof. Bernard Steunenberg (Leiden University), Prof. Dr. Tanja A. Börzel (Freie Universität Berlin), Dr. Heather Grabbe (Open Society Foundations), Prof. Melten Müftüler-Baç (Sabanci University), Prof, Lászlo Bruszt (European University Institute) and Dr. Zoltan Krasznai (European Commission).
On 23rd January, the 2nd public round table was an opportunity for MAXCAP partners to engage in a dialogue with other practitioners and researchers on the project’s findings. The discussants were: Prof. Dr. Tanja A. Börzel (Freie Universität Berlin), Dr. Pierre Mirel (European Commission), Dr. Marco Kmezić (University of Graz), Prof. Klaudijus Maniokas (European Social, Legal and Economic Projects), Prof. Dorothee Bohle (Central European University) and Prof. Antoaneta Dimitrova (Leiden University).
More information is available here.
