Debating Europe - The Future of Europe: Towards a Two-Speed EU?

The next ‘Debating Europe’ lecture features Jean-Claude Piris, who will speak on ‘The Future of Europe: Towards a Two-Speed EU?’  The lecture is based on his book of the same title, which has resonated widely among politicians, academic and practitioners working on European integration.  The Lecture takes place in the Sala del Capitolo, on Wednesday 11 April at 15:00. EUI Emeritus Professor Philippe C. Schmitter (SPS) is discussant of the event, which is followed by a reception.

Piris served as the Legal Counsel of the European Council and of the Council of the European Union and Director General of their Legal Service from 1988 to 2010, and was the Legal Advisor of the intergovernmental conferences negotiating the Treaties of Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice, the Constitutional Treaty and the Lisbon Treaty. He is an Honorary French Conseiller d'Etat, a former diplomat to the United Nations and the former Director of Legal Affairs of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He holds several degrees in public law and political science from the Universities of Paris and Bordeaux and is graduated from the École nationale d'administration. He is the author of numerous articles and books.

Debating Europe is a new pillar of the EUI’s activities, focused on debating the process of European integration and the major issues confronting contemporary European society. In line with the Convention setting up the EUI, this programme will be a primary platform for the exchange and discussion of ideas and experiences. Debating Europe is conceptualised as a high-level initiative that reflects on – and impacts – the European policy debate, and that enables the EUI to contribute to this debate.