20 years of EU membership : taking stock and moving forward

Abstract

As are the other nine EU member states that joined the European Union in May 2004, the Institute for European Studies within the University of Malta is commemorating the 20 year anniversary from which Malta joined the EU through a series of events.

A Conference titled 'Taking Stock and Moving Forward', which took place on Thursday 2 May 2024, attracted the participation and attention of many industry practitioners, academics and politicians.

Presented by Keith Demicoli, the Conference took stock of the last 20 years of EU membership and discussed the next 20 years.

At the centre of the conference was the launch of the Institute’s Paper Series, a paper series which analyses and discusses various elements of the 20th anniversary.

Many of the papers focus on Malta’s membership of the EU but papers also discuss the wider issue of EU enlargement as well as the experience of other states that joined in 2004. The intension is to continue adding to this paper series to ensure a consolidated body of work marking this important anniversary.

"We have been dealing with EU-related projects even before membership - the Erasmus+ Programme is in fact considered to be one of the most successful programmes of integration. Closer cooperation between universities and higher education institutes is so important because they make the Union strong and stable", said Prof. Alfred J. Vella during the Conference.

A number of panels discussed the role of the EU in several areas, such as human rights, foreign policy and inclusion. The panels included the participation of the current European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, and former member of the EU commissioner, also UM pro-chancellor, Perit Karmenu Vella.

Chairperson of the Board of the Institute for European Studies and UM Pro-Rector for Student & Staff Affairs and Outreach, Prof. Carmen Sammut also addressed the Conference.