EM Germany Newsletter July 2025 | Summer Begins – Setting Course for Europe

Dear readers,

Summer can come - Europe remains on course.

European policy in Germany has realigned itself - and the EM Germany has played its part in this. And in these times, that is sorely needed. With our major conference on the 75th anniversary of Germany's accession to the Council of Europe, together with the Federal Foreign Minister and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, we have broadened our view of freedom, human rights and democracy beyond the EU's borders.

Just in time for the start of the Danish EU Council Presidency, 234 EM Germany member organisations have sharpened their political priorities. The message from the EM Germany General Assembly is clear: we want a free, effective and democratic Europe - and we are actively involved in communicating and shaping future EU legislation as well as in the work of the Council of Europe.

In doing so, we are also providing new structural impetus: together with the Chancellor's office, we are expanding our successful policy formats - for more strategic dialogue on the European policy agenda.

But we are still in base camp. Now is the time to gather, network and reorganise. From the autumn, we will continue with a clear structure and a full course.

Stay with us - and strengthen our network by contributing your organisation and spreading the word about our formats. Because Europe's future needs strong democratic voices. Yours counts.

With european regards

Bernd Hüttemann

Secretary General of the European Movement Germany

EM Germany News

Anniversary conference of the Council of Europe: 75 years of commitment to democracy | To mark the 75th anniversary of Germany's membership of the Council of Europe, EM Germany, in cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office and the Council of Europe, organised a high-profile conference in the Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office. Among those present were Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, who impressively underlined the importance of the Council of Europe for peace and freedom in Europe. In the three panels, experts discussed current challenges and future prospects for Europe. The first panel, for example, focussed on European support for Ukraine and its importance for freedom and the rule of law. H.E. Oleksii Makeiev, Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany, was also present. Another point on the agenda was the presentation of the ‘Democracy Ambassadors’, committed representatives from the EM Germany network who use their expertise, their networks and their voice to promote the values of the Council of Europe and thus contribute democracy, human rights and the rule of law to social dialogue. | More (in German)

EM Germany General Assembly 2025: Keeping Europe on course | This year's EM Germany General Assembly took place in a special setting in the Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office. In her speech, President Dr Anna-Maija Mertens emphasised the importance of a committed and pro-European network, while Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann reported on innovative projects and strengthened governance. Key topics such as the rule of law, democracy and security were discussed with Anja Wallau from the Federal Foreign Office and Gosia Binczyk, Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Germany. The delegates also adopted the EM Germany Policy 2025/26 by a majority and jointly defined the work priorities for the coming year. With the admission of nine new member organisations, the network has grown to 234 members - a clear signal of the joint commitment to a strong Europe. | More (in German)

EBD De-Briefing European Council - Premiere with the Federal Chancellor's Office | The Federal Chancellery is now responsible for organising the content of the EBD De-Briefing on the European Council. This brings us full circle: as early as 1949, the German Bundestag decided on the first institutional funding for the European Movement Germany, for which the Chancellor's Office was responsible at the time. The new Federal Government is also sending a strong signal for early and coherent communication on Europe and is strengthening the structured dialogue with democratic interest groups. At the launch on 1 July 2025, Ole Funke (Federal Chancellor's Office) and Barbara Gessler (EU Commission) discussed key topics such as support for Ukraine, security policy, competitiveness and migration. | More (in German)

EBD-Briefing on the Danish EU Council Presidency: Security, Competitiveness, Sustainability | H.E. Thomas Østrup Møller, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Germany, presented the programme of the EU Council Presidency at the Felleshus of the Nordic Embassies. The programme focuses on a secure, competitive and green Europe. Anja Wallau (Federal Foreign Office), Dr Corinna Bölhoff (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), Barbara Gessler (EU Commission) and EM Germany President Dr Anna-Maija Mertens discussed key issues from a German and European perspective - such as strengthening the internal market, cooperation between the EU and NATO and the opportunities for ambitious EU enlargement. The lively discussion was moderated by EM Germany Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann. The great interest in the briefing emphasises the importance of the Danish Council Presidency in turbulent times. | More (in German)

EM Germany publishes new European calendar for the second half of 2025 | The second half of the year brings a breath of fresh air to European policy: with a new German government and an ambitious Danish EU Council Presidency, the overview remains crucial. The EM Germany European Calendar offers a compact overview of all relevant dates and priorities during the Danish Council Presidency as well as the most important Council of Europe dates under the Maltese Presidency - available digitally and as a print version on request. Anyone wishing to order a printed copy can send an e-mail to presse@netzwerk-ebd.de by today, 16 July, stating their name, address and the number of copies required. | To download

40 years of Schengen - Open borders as a European promise | On the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, the EM Germany recalls the historical importance of open borders for daily life in Europe. While the Schengen system is being further developed in Brussels, the EM Germany  warns against symbolic politics and permanent border controls in Germany. These do not create security and do not solve the challenges in the border region in any way. For millions of people, open borders are part of everyday life. They enable commuting, trade, education and co-operation across national borders. The EM Germany therefore calls for the systematic monitoring of border commuter movements, the consistent enforcement of Schengen rules by the EU Commission and the renunciation of national solo efforts without European coordination. | To the press release

Malta's Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers - New impetus for the Council of Europe | On 12 June, high-ranking representatives from diplomacy and politics discussed the priorities of Malta's chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe at the EM Germany Briefing in the European House. After the symbolic handover of the baton from Luxembourg to Malta, Ambassador H.E. Francesca C. Vettiger presented the programme. The programme focuses on support for Ukraine, the protection of children in the digital space, the fight against discrimination and violence and the greater participation of young people in decision-making processes. EM Germany President Dr Anna-Maija Mertens and Jan Kantorczyk, Head of Division at the Federal Foreign Office, emphasised the close cooperation and the importance of the Council of Europe for democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. | Read more

Upcoming events

21 August 2025 | Brussels Alumni Stammtisch Berlin | The next Brussels Alumni Stammtisch will take place on 21 August 2025. Former Brussels expats and alumni of the College of Europe are cordially invited to network and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. The monthly meetings offer an ideal opportunity to maintain contacts and welcome new members to the network | You are welcome to register here for more information.

10 September 2025 | Discussion on the State of the European Union Address (SOTEU) | On the occasion of the State of the Union Address (SOTEU) by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EM Germany, together with the Liaison Office of the European Parliament and the Representation of the European Commission in Germany, invites you to watch and comment on the speech at the European House in Berlin on 10 September. Afterwards, experts will discuss the most important impulses and reactions from the European Parliament with the audience. | More information to follow

18 September 2025 | Brussels Alumni in Berlin | In September 2025, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Movement Germany (EBD) invite you to the annual Brussels Alumni Reception. Everyone who has lived and worked in Brussels and alumni of the College of Europe are invited. The event offers the perfect opportunity to refresh old contacts and establish new networks. All former Brussels alumni are welcome - feel free to bring other expats with you! | More information to follow

27 October 2025 | EBD European Council De-Briefing | Following the successful launch, the EBD European Council De-Briefing will take place as a face-to-face event for the first time on 27 October 2025. The focus will be on the results of the Council meeting on 23 and 24 October. Ole Funke, Head of Group 52 at the Federal Chancellor's office, will present and categorise the key decisions. | More information to follow

More information

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