International Conference
The Future of EU Enlargement: EU Integration as Geopolitical Necessity
Monday, October 5, 2026
16:30 to 20:10, followed by reception
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Academy
Tiergartenstraße 35, 10785 Berlin
The Center for Liberal Modernity together with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung cordially invite you to attend our international conference “The Future of EU Enlargement: EU Integration as a Geopolitical Necessity” on Monday, October 5, 2026 at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Academy.
In the fifth year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the European Union faces the challenge of adjusting its enlargement policy to the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Against this backdrop, the debate on models of gradual EU integration is gaining importance and is being discussed by policymakers, academics, and the candidate countries. At the same time, this debate has increasingly become a target of Russian influence efforts aimed at spreading anti-European narratives, such as the alleged loss of national sovereignty, thereby destabilising democratic societies in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
The international conference addresses both of these closely interconnected developments. First, it will discuss current concepts of gradual EU integration and their implications for the candidate countries Ukraine, Moldova, and Montenegro. Particular attention will be given to the opportunities that gradual integration or associated membership may offer for the future of EU enlargement policy. Second, the conference will analyse Russian information manipulation as a tool used against democratic development in the EU’s neighbourhood.
The event will open at 16:30 with welcoming remarks from Mark Speich, Secretary-General of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and Marieluise Beck, Senior Fellow for Eastern Europe at the Center for Liberal Modernity. Afterwards, Gunther Krichbaum MP, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office, and Maida Gorčević, Minister for European Affairs of Montenegro, will deliver keynote speeches.
Key questions of the conference:
- How can the European Union strike a balance between geopolitical action, institutional credibility, and long-term enlargement prospects?
- Which institutional reforms does the EU need to implement gradual integration credibly?
- How can gradual integration or associated membership be designed in practice?
- How are concepts of gradual EU integration perceived in public and expert debates?
- Which narratives and instruments does Russia use to undermine public support for European integration and obstruct reform processes?
- What cross-country patterns can be identified in Russian influence activities, and how can the European Union and its partners respond effectively?
We further cordially invite you to our reception which will take place after the conference.
Programme
16:30 – 16:45 | WELCOME REMARKS
- Mark Speich, Secretary General, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
- Marieluise Beck, Senior Fellow, Center for Liberal Modernity
16:45 – 17:15 | KEYNOTES
- Gunther Krichbaum MP (CDU/CSU), Minister of State for Europe, Federal Foreign Office, Germany
- Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, Montenegro
17:15 – 18:30 | PANEL 1
Gradual Integration and Associated Membership – A New Dynamic in EU Enlargement Policy
- Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, Montenegro
- Liubov Akulenko, Executive Director, Ukrainian Centre for European Policy (UCEP), Ukraine
- Anastasia Pociumban, Research Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
- David Preisendanz MP, Rapporteur for EU Enlargement Policy, CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag
Moderation: Matthias Hespe, Policy Advisor Eastern Europe, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
18:30 – 18:45 | BREAK
18:45 – 20:00 | PANEL 2
Russia’s Playbook Against EU Enlargement
- Saba Brachveli, Human Rights Program Manager, Civil Society Foundation, Georgia
- Denis Cenusa, Geopolitical Analyst, Associated Expert, Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, Lithuania
- Chantal Kopf MP, Spokesperson for European Policy, Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group in the German Bundestag
- Areg Kochinyan, President, Armenian Council, Armenia
- Dmytro Shulga, Director of the European Programme, International Renaissance Foundation (IRF), Ukraine
Moderation: Khatia Kikalishvili, Programme Director Eastern Partnership, Center for Liberal Modernity
20:00 – 20:10 | CLOSING REMARKS
Ralf Fücks, Managing Director, Center for Liberal Modernity
20:10 | RECEPTION
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The conference will be simultaneously translated into German and English.
Please note: Participation is only possible on site and after receiving confirmation of registration. If you have any questions, please contact Khatia Kiaklishvili, Programme Director for Eastern Partnership, at khatia.kikalishvili@libmod.de.
We look forward to your participation and to the joint discussion.
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