Jean Monnet: EU a la carte?

On the 19-21st June, 2016, the chair of the Centre for European Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University, Amelia Hadfield was invited to attend a conference in Malmö, Sweden.

Many academics and professionals attended the event all leaders in their respected field were in attendance with three discussion topics, at European Level being discussed, these topics being: Fiscal and Monetary Union, Borders and Defence and Energy Union.

The details of the event can be found at the website features a download of all papers that were presented, including that of Dr Hadfield, whom, being an expert on the Energy Union within Europe was there as part of the panel, more specifically: “European energy security in the age of Brexit”. Joining her on the panel: Simone Tagliapietra of the Bruegel Institute, Tim Boesrsma of the Brookings Insitution and Nuria G. Rabanal of the Universidad de Leon with the panel being moderated by Marten Westrup, European Commision – DG Energy. Dr Hadfield’s specific subject, as titled above explored the concept of whether an EU à la carte system, where member states are allowed to pick through policies like the choice of food at a menu, would be appropriate in a height of Euroscepticism and European pessimism.

The conclusion was drawn that in an age where Brexit is upon us, the fate of the European Energy Union and the relationship between the United Kingdom and Europe is still to be seen and much in the hands of the respective leaders, hopefully a lot of which will be revealed once the May administration decide to unveil the coveted ‘Brexit plan’