Session: Session 2
Date/Time: April 26, 2016 / 16:30-18:00

Moderator:
Kim Chang-beom, Seoul Metropolitan Government

Speakers:
Steven Blockmans, Centre for European Policy Studies
Martin Heipertz, Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany
Vladimir Shopov, Bulgarian Institute of Int’l Affairs
Philip Stephens, Financial Times

Panel Description
The European Union is facing challenges on multiple levels. Economically, the specter of the Eurozone financial crisis has kept growth rates low and unemployment high in many countries. The Ukraine situation and Russian intervention have undermined stability and chilled relations between East and West, while nontraditional security threats have left the continent reeling. With Paris suffering two abhorrent terrorist attacks in 2015 and refugees continuing to inundate Europe, the EU is facing security and demographic challenges that are testing the resolve of its citizens. Will Europe’s economic problems translate into political turmoil? Where will continue to develop in the Ukraine, and what directions will Europe take after Putin leaves the stage?