IIEA Talks

As Ireland prepares to take on its EU Presidency, beginning in July 2026, this panel will discuss the evolving agenda on EU enlargement. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and a renewed accession momentum, this discussion, which brings together perspectives from Dublin and Brussels, will assess the strategic, institutional, and political challenges facing the Union and enlargement. Panellists will consider the nature of enlargement as a strategic priority for the Union, and the delicate balance between deepening and widening the EU.

This event has been organised in conjunction with the European Policy Centre

Speakers include:

Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre;

Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute;

Barry Colfer, Director of Research at the IIEA

Dr. Alice Edwards is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture — the first woman to hold the mandate in its 40-year history. She has documented human rights violations and advocated for justice, rehabilitation and peace on behalf of victims and survivors in major wars, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Mozambique, Russia-Ukraine, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Palestine and Israel. Previously, she served as the chief legal adviser at the UN Refugee Agency (2000-2015) and led the inter-governmental Convention against Torture Initiative (2016-2021), supporting states to ratify the Convention and strengthen implementation of international law. In 2024, she was nominated for Australian of the Year.

'China Shock 2.0'

In this edition of IIEA Insights, three experts discuss the future direction of EU-China relations. Tensions between Brussels and Beijing are rising as EU exports to China fall, while the volume of Chinese goods entering the EU grows rapidly. Efforts by the EU to address these imbalances – often the result of subsidies given to Chinese firms and the absence of a level-playing field in the Chinese Market for European companies – are being met with aggressive pushback from Beijing.

Speakers:

Noah Barkin, Senior Advisor in Rhodium Group’s China practice

Alicia García Herrero, Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at NATIXIS

Declan Kelleher, former Ambassador of Ireland to the People’s Republic of China

In this event, Mr Manuel Mateo Goyet provides an overview of the recently published Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA). The CADA seeks to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty and competitiveness in the cloud and AI ecosystem by boosting Europe’s ecosystem, investment and infrastructure. It aims to ensure that Europe can meet demands for data centre, cloud and computing capacity to meet the needs of businesses and support AI adoption. It particularly promotes the scaling of digital infrastructure by addressing unduly lengthy permitting procedures and barriers to accessing energy, land and financing.

Manuel Mateo Goyet is a Head of the Cloud and Software unit at the European Commission, DG Connect. He was previously acting head of unit for two years and a deputy head of unit since 2019. Before that, he served as Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Gabriel on policy areas including copyright, audiovisual, disinformation, high performance computing, digital skills, and eHealth. Manuel Mateo joined the Commission (DG INFSO/CONNECT) in 2006 where he held several positions, including that of Assistant to the Director General, and of deputy Head of Unit dealing with inter-institutional relations.

In his keynote address, Minister Timcho Mucunski reflects on EU enlargement and North Macedonia’s European path at a decisive moment for Europe ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency. He addresses the need for a credible, merit-based accession process and the strategic imperative of integrating the Western Balkans in the EU at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.

Timcho Mucunski is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia. He has extensive experience across diplomacy, academia and elected office, including as a university law professor, former Deputy Minister, former Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Aerodrom.