With the accession of the Baltic countries in 2004 EU and NATO for the first time had a direct border with the successor state of the former Soviet Union, the Russian Federation, as well as member states with a sizable Russian minority population. The Baltic states understandibly considered this accession step a life insurance against Russian attempts to reinstate hegemony over their nations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the latest starting in 2007 the Russian Federation then made clear that it considered Baltic EU and NATO accession a security threat.

In the years since tensions between EU/Nato and Russia have increased and have reached a new high with Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2014 and 2022, and the accession of the formerly neutral countries Sweden and Finland to NATO.

It is in this situation that we have invited Maris Hellrand, a prominent freelance journalist from Tallinn, Estonia, to talk to us about life at a focal point of new EAST-WEST-tension.

With EU-Mercosur Trade negotiations having begun in 1999 and agreement in principle reached in 2019 the talks have not made it across the finishing line yet. Finally, in December 2024, an agreement on the free trade deal was announced and waits for approval/endorsement from at least 15 of the 27 EU member countries. 

The protectionist trade and tarriff policies of the new US administration under President Trump have now added new incentive and urgency for both sides to remove the final obstacles to closing the deal.

We invited Paolo Garzotti from the European Commission (DG Trade) to familiarize us with the current status, remaining obstacles and the potential benefits for both sides.

Did you know that our weekly Events are 100% volunteer powered? Right now, everyone in the team is very busy: Family visits, exam phase, deadlines at work… That is why we decided to allow each other a week of pause, in which we can enjoy the colorful early November days. We will be back next week for you!

Climate Change, Pension Systems & Age Discrimination – Across Europe, we discuss how our societies should be designed to ensure they are equally livable and full of opportunities for all generations. Most of us agree: Societies must be fair. However, your view of what is fair regarding resource distribution and access to decision-making can differ based on your age group and life experience.

To promote and discuss intergenerational fairness, the European Commission has launched an EU-wide online and in-person consultation: A European Citizen Panel. We invited 2 out of 150 participants who met in Brussels to talk about fairness across generations in Europe. They will share what they have been working on.

Afterward, it’s your turn to make your voice heard. In breakout rooms, you’ll be asked to develop ideas on how to enhance intergenerational fairness and share them on the European Commission’s digital “Have Your Say” platform.