Details

Gathering distinguished academics, constitutional court judges, Members of Parliament and representatives of the executive branch of power from the region, the event will focus on the challenges that applicant countries will face in terms of constitutional and institutional adjustments on the way to European Union membership. It aims to shed light on the three topics of constitutional challenges that lay ahead for the countries:

• Addressing EU Integration in the Constitution: General Questions and Specific Matters
• Legitimacy through Participation: the Role of National Parliaments
• Defining "Constitutional Tolerance": the Role of Constitutional Courts

For the purpose of the conference, Dr. Jens Woelk – Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Trento, Italy – developed a comparative study covering the abovementioned countries that will serve as an input to the debate.

Agenda of the event is is also available in attachment, as well as the research paper by Dr. Jens Woelk.

Agenda

10:00 – 10:45Welcoming remarks and opening addresses

• Aleksandar Nikolov, Executive Director of the Association for Development Initiatives – Zenith
• H.E. Ms. Teuta Arifi, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs (TBC)
• Robert Liddell, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Delegation of the European Union (TBC)
• Tatjana von Steiger Weber, Head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Macedonia
• Thorsten Geissler, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung – Rule of Law Program South East Europe
• Anja Czymmeck, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Office In Macedonia

10:45 – 11:00Coffee/Networking break

11:00 – 11:45Presentation Comparative study “Membership in the European Union – Constitutional challenges for South East European applicant countries “

• Dr. Jens Woelk, Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Trento, Italy

11.45 – 12:30The constitutional view: potential conflict and the legitimacy issue - Discussion on national perspectives

12:30 – 13:15The role of Constitutional Courts: defining “constitutional tolerance”

Discussion on national perspectives

13:15 – 13:30 Closing remarks

• Aleksandar Nikolov, Executive Director of the Association for Development Initiatives – Zenith

13:30 – 14:30Lunch