Towards an enlarged EU: How to uphold democracy and the rule of law?

Tuesday 26th May 2026, EU House, Nicosia

Doors open: 17:30. Event: 18:00 – 19:30

The Centre of Excellence for the Rule of Law and European Values CRoLEV at the University of Central Lancashire in Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus) and the EU-funded project REUNIR cordially invite you to participate to a Public policy panel, taking place in the Republic of Cyprus, on the occasion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In a ruptured international order, the new security context brings forth a crucial question: how can an expanding European Union maintain and strengthen democracy and rule of law at its core when member states and candidate countries alike are the targets of malign foreign interference?

This public policy panel will examine the interplay between the external and internal dimensions of the rule of law to assess how the EU can be ready for enlargement while standing firm on its values. It will convene politicians, officials, diplomats, academics and think tankers to assess efforts to bolster rule of law efforts in EU enlargement negotiations, fortify the EU’s internal rule of law activity and equip an enlarged Union to uphold fundamental values in the face of malign foreign interference.

This event is open to policy makers, academics, youth, civil society organisations, professionals and members of the public. A welcome coffee will be offered. Please bring your ID on the day for security checks.

REGISTRATION: via this link

Indicative programme

Moderator and Speaker:

Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou

Professor of European Law and Reform, Head, School of Law and Centre of Excellence for the Rule of Law and European Values CRoLEV Director, UCLan Cyprus

Introductory remarks:

Steven Blockmans

Associate Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) and REUNIR lead

Speakers:

Sergii Nyzhinskyi

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Cyprus

Suzana Bošković-Prodanović

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Cyprus

Christophe Hillion

Professor of European Law, University of Oslo, Member of the Advisory Board of REUNIR

This event is organised with the support of REUNIR, funded under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, project ID No. 101132446. https://reunir-horizon.eu/

For further information, please contact crolev@uclancyprus.ac.cy