POSITION PAPER

United Europe is our (only) future.

More than 500 days have passed since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, we have seen a so-called Zeitenwende not only in the European Union itself but also in its member states. Russia’s aggression has also made the world question the current international order and its future. How can aggressive attitudes from Russia and possibly China be countered and prevented? How can Europe act united? And last but not least, where does the EU find itself among other global players?

The upcoming elections in the EU, such as the election to the European Parliament or the parliamentary elections in Poland, will play a crucial role in determining Europe’s future, especially noting that democratic backsliding still has not come to a hold in numerous European member states. In addition, the topic of EU enlargement has gained even more relevance with the declaration of Ukraine and Moldova as candidate countries.

While the war in Ukraine is unfortunately far from over, speaking about the country’s future is relevant. In rebuilding Ukraine, many researchers speak of a chance to fortify the democracy of the state and strengthen its position in the world. Ukraine’s candidature to the EU is another step in this direction, raising the question of the EU's role in Ukraine's future. Meanwhile, the country's relation to NATO remains a highly discussed topic.

Considering these important developments, the third Eastern European Summit held by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and Junge Liberale focused on the EU itself, its future, and its role in the international power constellation, while also considering Ukraine’s future and outlook after the war. Accompanied by experts, the participating youth organisations discussed three main topics: “Ukraine after the war and the EUs role in rebuilding it”, “The EU's future in times of elections, democratic backsliding and enlargement”, and “Europe's place in the world among Russia, China and the United States”.

This paper contains the collective demands of 14 liberal youth organisations across Central and Eastern Europe. We strongly believe that the following calls for action are essential in solving the aforementioned challenges and #ReshapeEasternEurope to strengthen it for the future.