EM Germany Newsletter June 2025 | Council of Europe Anniversary Conference & General Member Assembly 2025
Dear readers,
Feeling overwhelmed? War, aggression, loss of control, corruption, breaches of international law, and a shrinking democratic space – many loose ends are causing uncertainty. As the largest network for European policy in Germany, we aim to provide/ we want to offer orientation.
On July 8, it counts: At the joint Council of Europe Anniversary Conference with the German Federal Foreign Office and our Members' Assembly 2025, we will redefine our political position. Germany is back in Europe - and not just through the Federal Government. Our country thrives on diverse democratic engagement in society and economy. And: the Basic Law enshrines Europe as a national objective - with a clear commitment to human rights, the rule of law and democratic participation.
In the anniversary year of 75 years of German membership in the Council of Europe, we are focusing on the Reykjavik Democracy Pact - in conjunction with EU legislation. After all, attacks on democracy, human rights, fair competition and prosperity must be consistently fended off. Europe's democratic integration landscape needs cohesion - with Iceland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and also with the democratic forces in Turkey, Serbia and Georgia.
Our EM Germany Policy 2025/26 brings together the bigger picture - with clear priorities and communicative focal points. In the run-up, we offer, among other things, the EM Germany briefing on Malta's presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (June 12), the EM Germany briefing on Denmark's EU Council presidency (June 30) - and our first EM Germany De-Briefing on the European Council with the new German government.
Don't forget: On July 8, we are inviting you to the major assessment of political and social forces in the Weltsaal of the German Federal Foreign Office. Get involved / Participate - or become part of our network.
With european regards
Barbara Lochbihler
Vice-President of the European Movement Germany
#EM Germany Graphic of the month
How is the Council of Europe structured? What are its functions and objectives? All this - and more - is shown in our latest #EBDGrafik “Role and structure of the Council of Europe”. It not only explains the structure and functioning of the Council of Europe, but also highlights the priorities of the Maltese Chairmanship since May: protecting human rights, strengthening youth participation and combating discrimination. | Our Graphic to download
EM Germany News
EM Germany Board: Final meeting ahead of the General Assembly | With the change of government, many things are also being reorganised in terms of European policy: At the meeting of the EM Germany Executive Board, the question of what course the new federal government consisting of the CDU/CSU and SPD will set for Europe was discussed. The first impression is promising: Europe is clearly being taken into consideration - but the concrete implementation remains crucial. The meeting also saw the adoption of the draft EM Germany Policy 2025/26. The final version will be adopted on 8 July at the 2025 EM Germany General Member Assembly. The highlight of this day will be the Council of Europe Anniversary Conference - which will take place after the first part in the Weltsaal of the German Federal Foreign Office. | Read more
EBD De-Briefings in a double pack: Competitiveness & AGRIFISH | Two Council meetings were at the center of last week's De-Briefings: In the morning, Dr Sonja Eisenberg (BMWE) and André Wecker (BMFTR) provided insights into the results of the Competitiveness Council (22-23 May 2025). Key topics included the internal market, industrial policy, research and space (travel). This was followed in the afternoon by the de-briefing on the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) of the 26 May 2025. Dr Christian Flach (BMLEH) discussed key findings on the market situation and the strategic direction of European agricultural and food policy.
EM Germany President Dr Mertens at the WDR Europaforum 2025 | ‘When prosecutor meets defender’ - under this title, EM Germany President Dr Anna-Maija Mertens discussed the future of the EU and the question of how to improve the EU with former MEP Nico Semsrott at the 27th WDR Europaforum. Key topics included transparency, reducing bureaucracy, and strengthening the European Parliament. Dr Mertens emphasised Europe's role as an area of protection and opportunity and advocated for more shared responsibility and visible successes of European cooperation. Germany must play an active and pro-European role, she said. As both agreed on many points, moderator Louis Klamroth (hart aber fair, ARD) summarised the discussion - with reference to the title - as follows: Two defenders of the EU sat here today. | Watch the whole interview in the ARD media centre
EM Germany Secretary General at the KAS Workshop on European Issues | Populism, security and economic transformation: EM Germany Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann discussed these challenges facing Europe with experts from politics, academia and practice at the invitation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). Participants from Ukraine gave an impressive account of the immediate consequences of the war and underlined the importance of democratic visions in Europe. It also became clear that Europe must be strengthened in security and economic matters - even beyond the current treaties. | Read more
Talks on Democracy and Cooperation in Strasbourg | Following his visit to Cadenabbia, EM Germany Secretary-General Bernd Hüttemann met with Matjaž Gruden and Claudia Luciani (Council of Europe) in Strasbourg. The discussions focused on strengthening European democracy and regional cooperation. He also spoke to Hervé Moritz, President of the European Movement France, and Cathrin Gräber, General-Secretary of the Franco-German Secretariat, the talks centered on cross-border cooperation — including concerns about the border controls introduced by Germany. | Read more
Brussels alumni get-together | What a great evening! The Brussels Alumni get-together on 15 May 2025 once again brought together numerous alumni and alumnae from Brussels as well as graduates of the College of Europe. We would like to thank all participants for the great interest and the good atmosphere. If you would like to receive future invitations, you can register here
Interview with…
With the format ‘Interview with…’, European voices regularly have their say in the form of a short interview. On the occasion of Malta taking over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, we invited the Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, H.E. Marlene Bonnici, to talk to us about her country's priorities and plans in the Council of Europe.
Combating violence and discrimination is also a key topic of the Maltese chairmanship. Are there any specific initiatives or programmes that Malta would like to promote during its Presidency?
Marlene Bonnici: Malta is proud of its progress in tackling gender-based violence and discrimination through strong laws and support services like our national helpline and shelters. Our Presidency focuses on combating violence with an inclusive, intersectional approach that promotes equality and respect across Europe.
We have hosted and will host key events addressing LGBTQ+ equality, trafficking, and violence against women, including a meeting to advance the Istanbul Convention – a crucial framework for protecting women’s rights.
Protecting vulnerable groups, especially children, is central. New challenges like digital-facilitated sexual violence demand urgent action. Our upcoming Ministerial Conference will mark 15 years of the Lanzarote Convention, focused on protecting children from abuse. We also support efforts to safeguard displaced children affected by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. In light of the foregoing, Malta aims to share best practices and encourage full implementation of these important legal protection frameworks to build a safer and more inclusive Europe.
Read the full interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, H.E. Marlene Bonnici, here
Upcoming events
12 June 2025 | EM Germany Briefing on Malta's Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. On 14 May 2025, Malta took over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe - the central political decision-making body of the oldest European organisation for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. As part of the EM Germany Briefing at the European House in Berlin, Malta's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe H.E. Francesca Camilleri Vettiger will present the priorities of Malta's chairmanship, moderated by Dr. Christian Johann, Director of the European Academy Berlin and EM Germany Board Member. We also provide a review of the Luxembourg Chairmanship, which preceded Malta. | Read more
June 23, 2025 | EBD De-Briefing EPSCO. The meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) on June 19 and 20, 2025 is expected to bring important decisions on labor market policy, social inclusion and health. Florian Schierle (BMAS) and Mark Kamperhoff (BMFSFJ) will analyze the results at the digital EBD De-Briefing on June 23, 2025 at 14:00. | Read more
24 June 2025 | EBD De-Briefing ECOFIN. On 20 June 2025, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) will convene for its next meeting to discuss the current agenda. The EM Germany therefore invites you to the digital EM Germany De-Briefing ECOFIN on 24 June 2025 at 10:00 am. Dr Judith Hermes, Head of the European Policy and International Financial Policy Division at the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF), will present and evaluate the results of the meeting. | Read more
June 30, 2025 | EBD Briefing on the Danish EU Council Presidency. The EM Germany invites you to a briefing on the occasion of the upcoming Danish EU Council Presidency on June 30, 2025. H.E. Thomas Østrup Møller, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Germany, will present Copenhagen's priorities and perspectives for the EU agenda. At the same time, we will discuss the results of the European Council, which will meet on 26-27 June 2025. Save the Date!
July 8, 2025 | Council of Europe Anniversary Conference. On the occasion of Germany's 75th anniversary in the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe, the Federal Foreign Office and the EBD are organizing a one-day anniversary conference in Berlin. The conference will focus on key topics of European cooperation: support for Ukraine, the defence of democratic structures in Europe, and future perspectives for the work of the Council of Europe. Further information on the agenda and programme can be found here. Save the Date!
More information
Check out former editions of our newsletter here.
Please sign up here if you would like to receive the newsletter (in German).
Zur deutschen Version dieses Newsletters.
