Egmont - Royal Institute for International Relations

EU Legislative Interests

In 2024, the Egmont Institute pursued influencing activities directed at EU institutions with explicit reference to concrete legislative proposals, regulations, and strategic instruments. One example is Egmont’s contributions around the EU Joint Communication on the Climate-Security Nexus, using a policy brief and related workshops to assess its implementation one year after adoption, thereby engaging Commission & EEAS actors with feedback on this communication. Egmont also engaged directly with instruments such as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. Staff research, publications, and events address how these regulations are shaping the digital economy, platform governance, competition policy, and dissemination of responsibilities between digital platforms, users and regulators. Examples include foresight workshops under Belgium’s Council Presidency to feed into the next European Commission’s mandate and the EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029: Egmont convened expert workshops on “Charting a Green and Competitive Future for Europe,” which addressed green transition measures, industrial policy instruments, and regulatory levers for strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. These discussions were aimed explicitly to influence the policy content of future legislative or regulatory frameworks concerning the European Green Deal, EU competitiveness instruments, and industrial policy. Egmont also ran a series called Promoting European Democracy and Solidarity in a Wider EU, which involved foresight workshops targeting the rule of law, EU enlargement, fiscal policy coordination (including instruments under the Stability and Growth Pact, or EU budgetary governance), and the legal frameworks that undergird democracy and solidarity in EU governance. These exercises aimed to influence EU institutional thinking around the European Commission proposals and Council conclusions in those fields. Other influencing activity focused on policymaking in digital and AI regulation. For example, the Institute published on the subject of the EU AI Act, particularly in its external relations and dimension vis-à-vis partner countries, proposing how Europe might help shape responsible AI adoption abroad and how the AI Act’s regulatory framework can engage with digital ecosystems in Africa. Likewise, publications and commentaries addressed the Capital Markets Union (CMU) as a financial, economic and strategic instrument, arguing that completing the CMU is necessary to support defence capabilities, technological innovation (such as quantum, AI, space systems), and Europe’s strategic autonomy. Through events and input papers, Egmont also addressed EU policy instruments like the Conference on the Future of Europe, structure of the European Parliament’s legislative proposals, instruments for enlargement policy, rule of law conditionality mechanisms, and the European Democracy Action Plan / European Democracy Package (sometimes referenced as the “European Democracy Shield”). Egmont’s workshops often sought to generate recommendations for these proposals or for future modifications in light of democratic resilience, countering disinformation, strengthening civic participation. Egmont’s influencing in 2024 was not only in general policy areas, but repeatedly targeted: • The legislative frameworks of the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act • The EU Joint Communication on the Climate-Security Nexus • The European AI Act and associated regulatory tools for AI, including its impact beyond EU borders • Capital Markets Union (CMU) as an instrument of financial policy and strategic autonomy • EU instruments for enlargement, rule of law conditionality, and democracy governance (through, for example, legal and budgetary instruments under EU treaties or EU legislative proposals).

Communication Activities

In 2024, Egmont actively engaged with EU institutions through various communication activities to influence policy debates, contribute to institutional cycles, and foster dialogue on key European themes. Its outreach included publications, events, foresight exercises, and collaborative initiatives, all timed to coincide with significant EU policy events, such as the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the preparation of the EU’s 2024-29 Strategic Agenda. The Institute published policy briefs and analyses on pressing issues like energy security, democracy, and the climate-security nexus. These in-depth analyses offered timely input on the future of European democracy, the EU’s external action, the next European Commission’s priorities, and the Union’s mobilisation instruments. Policymakers and experts in Brussels widely circulated these publications, providing concise and actionable recommendations that could directly inform EU decision-making. The Institute organised various high-level events, such as retreats, roundtables, workshops, and public conferences, often involving EU officials, national representatives, academics, and civil society actors. The Democracy Retreat focussed on the European Democracy Shield and institutional resilience. Workshops with European academic and policy networks explored new policy ideas for the next institutional cycle, influencing debates on the EU’s strategic orientation. Informal meetings of cyber ambassadors and commanders at Egmont Palace during the Belgian Presidency further solidified the Institute’s role as a trusted convener for candid dialogue between EU institutions. Egmont’s outreach also included foresight and strategic agenda input. Through its foresight network and workshops, the Institute helped map long-term challenges for Europe, including climate, security, technological competition, and societal resilience. These activities coincided with preparations for the EU’s Strategic Agenda and the next European Commission mandate, influencing institutional priorities. Egmont bridged expert communities and policymakers, offering scenarios and ideas to enrich EU planning beyond political cycles. Egmont collaborated closely with EU institutions and national authorities, co-organising events with the European External Action Service, the European Commission’s Representation in Belgium, and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. This enhanced the visibility and impact of Egmont’s initiatives, anchoring them in ongoing institutional processes. By partnering, Egmont demonstrated its capacity as an independent think tank and a facilitator of dialogue within the European policy ecosystem. Communication activities were diverse but tied to EU priorities. Democracy and rule of law were key, with events and analyses on safeguarding participatory democracy and countering external interference. Climate and security were also discussed, with follow-up discussions on the EU’s joint communication assessing progress and challenges. Enlargement and migration were addressed through commemorative events and policy discussions reflecting on past integration waves and future accessions. Economic and industrial policy, as well as competitiveness, were discussed in the context of the Belgian Presidency, linking national leadership to Union-wide policy debates. Egmont’s outreach varied depending on the activity. High-level retreats and workshops engaged senior EU officials and policymakers in confidential dialogue. Public events and commemorations broadened visibility, engaging media, civil society, and the public in European debates. Policy briefs and commentaries provided concise analysis for policymakers and a general audience. This multi-layered approach ensured targeted influence on EU institutions and a broader public impact.

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

TEPSA - Trans European Policy Studies Association (Transparency Register No 366997312527-51)

Organisation Members

N/A

Additional Information

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