a Success Story for the Future – the perspective of German Business
Wednesday 8 May, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The EU's 2004 enlargement, known as the Eastern Enlargement, saw the European Union (EU) grow from 15 to 25 members. This was the first time that countries from Central and Eastern and South Eastern Europe had joined the EU.
From the perspective of German Business, the EU enlargement of 2004 was and is a success story. Joining the Union took economic co-operation to a new level.
The event takes place at Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft in Berlin. Conference language is English. The event is free of charge.
Together with our guests, we want to use this occasion to take a look at the challenges and chances faced by enlargement. What lessons have been learnt? What experiences have already influenced subsequent accession negotiations? Above all, the look back should serve to discuss the future of enlargement. The EU has clearly committed itself to further accessions. This debate is more present than ever in the year of the European Parliament elections. What are the challenges of the accession negotiations (the Western Balkans Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia,) for the candidate countries and the EU itself?
Dr Martin Wansleben, CEO, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK)
Tanja Gönner, Director General, Federation of German Industries (BDI)
Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Chairwoman, German Eastern Business Association (OA)
Dr Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
Matevž Frangež, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports of Slovenia
Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Chairwoman, German Eastern Business Association, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, Claas KGaA mbH
Mario Holzner, Managing Director, Vienna Institute for Economic Studies
Dr Thomas Narbeshuber, Vice President BASF Group, BASF Central & South East Europe, Speaker of the Working Group on South Eastern Europe, German Eastern Business Association
Economic Spotlight: AHK World Business Outlook for CEE
Carolin Herweg, Director International Economy, DIHK
Moderation: Daphne Grathwohl, Director Internal and Membership Communication | Spokesperson, DIHK