Posted on 10 May 2018
Thursday 10 May marked the opening day of The State of the Union conference at the EUI, now in its eighth edition.
The Institute was honoured with the presence of three heads of state: Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic; Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland; and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic. Each presented their perspectives on the various levels and facets of solidarity in Europe, the theme of this year's conference.
Distinguished academics, practitioners, and members of civil society also joined the discussion, with panels ranging from EMU, development and humanitarian aid strategies, energy and climate change, social investment, immigration and EU foreign, security and defence policies.
On 11 May the event will move to Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, with distinguished panels and participation from figures such Jean-Claude Juncker, Mario Draghi, Antonio Tajani and Federica Mogherini, as well as President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos. Friday's sessions will be livestreamed on the State of the Union website.
The event will close with an Open Day on Saturday, 12 May, at Villa Salviati, the site of the Historical Archives of the European Union.
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