Recovery and decline in the Eurozone: Southern Europe in focus

The Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW Köln) and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs - Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) organise an expert exchange to discuss the ongoing effects of the economic situation in Southern Europe.

Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece still have not overcome the impact of the 2008 financial crisis and continue to be challenged by declining economic performance, unemployment and brain-drain. On the other hand, northern Europe and especially Germany are coping rather well. This economic divergence is worrying, as it is accompanied by blame games, lack of solidarity and finger pointing, putting the entire European integration effort into question. José Manuel Barosso once described the situation as “the Europeanization of failures and the nationalization of success”.

We will look at the diversity in economic performance in the Eurozone and also examine whether the Stability and Growth Pact is still fit for purpose.

The event will take place in English under the Chatham House Rule, invitations are personal.

Speakers

• Heribert Dieter, Senior Associate, SWP Berlin
• Jürgen Matthes, Senior Economist, Cologne Institute for Economic Research
• commented by Eleni Panagiotarea, Research Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Athens
• Moderator: Sandra Parthie, Head of Brussels Office, Cologne Institute for Economic Research

TimeWednesday, 6 July 201612h00 – 13h30

VenueRepresentation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EURue Montoyer 471000 Brussels