Future of Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship

Originally aired July 22, 2020

As Europe navigated the twin crises of COVID-19 and rising geopolitical pressure, questions about the future of European integration and the transatlantic alliance had never felt more urgent. This 60-minute conversation with EU Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and former Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. and NATO András Simonyi examines where European unity stands, what leadership demands of major democracies in a time of global stress, and why the health of the transatlantic relationship matters for security and sustainability alike.

Speakers

Maroš Šefčovič

Vice President, European Commission; Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations & Foresight

Maroš Šefčovič is a Vice President of the European Commission and one of its longest-serving commissioners. He has overseen the Energy Union, the European Green Deal, and EU–UK relations, and is a central figure in European climate and energy policy. A Slovak diplomat turned senior EU official, he has represented the Commission in major negotiations on energy security, climate targets, and transatlantic cooperation.

András Simonyi

Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council; Former Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. and NATO

András Simonyi served as Hungary’s Ambassador to the United States and to NATO, and is a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. A leading voice on transatlantic relations, European security, and democratic governance, he has been a longtime collaborator with SSF and George Washington University on issues at the intersection of diplomacy, climate, and sustainability.