This event is organised by Séan Kelly, MEP for Ireland South in collaboration with the IIEA and UCC. It will take place offsite at The River Lee Hotel, Cork City. 

EU enlargement has played a significant role during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and will have important implications for Europe’s long-term future. Russia’s war in Ukraine has given renewed urgency to the enlargement process and prompted debate on potential reforms, including changes to decision-making procedures, earlier access to the benefits of the Single Market, and new forms of association with the EU. Taking place on the day the European Commission is due to publish its enlargement strategy, and ahead of the European Political Community meeting in Ireland in mid-November, this event will examine the geopolitical and economic case for a more dynamic approach to enlargement. It will also consider the current state of the enlargement process, lessons from previous rounds of accession, proposals for a two-speed Europe, and the implications of enlargement for business, investment and Ukraine’s reconstruction.

MEP Seán Kelly will open the event with an address on the geopolitical and economic dimensions of enlargement. This will be followed by a short presentation from a representative of the European Commission on the current state of the enlargement process. The opening presentations will be followed by a panel discussion chaired by Dr Barry Colfer, Director of Researcher at the Institute of International and European Affairs. 

Panellists will include:

• Seán Kelly, MEP for Ireland South
• Dr Emmanuelle Schön-Quinlivan, Senior Lecturer in European politics in the Department of Government, University College Cork
• Anthony Doherty, Head of Corporate Affairs at Kingspan