FMA End of Year Greetings 2025 | 9-10 December 2025

FMA END OF YEAR GREETINGS

9 – 10 DECEMBER 2025

The FMA announces its year-end program of events, featuring distinguished guests and high-level discussions on Ukraine, democratic resilience, and the role of EU institutions and parliamentary diplomacy in a changing world.

The FMA’s New Year’s Eve greetings will be held on December 9 and 10, 2025, at the European Parliament in Brussels. Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament & FMA, will be the guest of honour at the annual dinner on December 9. He will deliver a thought-provoking opening speech entitled: “Seeking to subvert its post war elections will be Russia’s second war front against Ukraine“. This will be followed by a compelling speech by Werner Schmitt, President of the Ukraine Culture Network.

The annual dinner will be preceded by the annual welcome cocktail reception featuring Christel Schaldemose, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Vsevolod Chentsov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community.

Two events open to the public will take place on December 10.

The program will highlight how parliaments, beyond their legislative and oversight roles, can serve as platforms for global cooperation and drivers of the common good. Our speakers will share their firsthand experience, illustrating how they and/or their institutions engage in political action that builds bridges, promotes agreements, and creates lasting commitments.

From 10:00 to 11:00, the 18th Librorum event will be held with the presentation of the book “Ten Elections: A History of the European Parliament at the Ballot Box (1979–2024)“. FMA President Klaus Hänsch will give the welcome address, followed by an introduction by Marti Grau, Director of the Jean Monnet House. Speakers will include authors Enrique Barón Crespo (former President of the European Parliament & FMA), Danuta Hübner, Richard Corbett, and Domènec Ruiz Devesa (FMA members). The Q&A session with the audience will be moderated by FMA Vice President Monica Baldi, who will also deliver the closing remarks.

From 11:00 to 13:00, the Annual Seminar on “The Role of EU Institutions and Parliamentary Diplomacy in a Changing World” will follow. President Dr. Klaus Hänsch will give the welcome address, followed by an opening speech by Ana Palacio, former Member of the European Parliament, former Spanish Foreign Minister, and visiting professor at Georgetown University, entitled “ European Parliament Diplomacy: From an Aspirational Past to Maturity in a Convulsing World“. Sabine Verheyen, First Vice-President of the European Parliament, will discuss “ The 10th Term: A Challenging Time for Parliament“. Georgi Pirinski, Former Member of the European Parliament, Former Chairman of National Assembly of Bulgaria and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, will give a speech on “ Updating the Role of Parliament’s Delegations in a Changing World“. Finally, Stefan Dobrev, Chairperson of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), will speak on “Innovating for Competitiveness: How Parliament Can Really Help“. The seminar will conclude with a Q&A session with the audience.

The Librorum and the Annual Seminar will take place both in person, in room SPAAK 4B01 at the European Parliament in Brussels, and online via livestream. Interpretation will be available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

MORE INFORMATION

 

ABOUT THE FMA

The Former Members Association of the European Parliament (FMA) is made up of over 750 members, from the 27 Member States plus the United Kingdom, who voluntarily offer their experience and expertise to carry out the many activities of the association. With professionalism and passion, the members are committed to strengthening the European and international network of former MPs, to building democracy and to making people understand the functioning and current rules of the European institutions, especially the Parliament. Particularly appreciated are the interventions of the FMA members in seminars, conferences, in cooperation with universities and schools, such as the well-known educational program “EP to Campus”, in study visits and EU Presidency.

 

PRESS CONTACT

Albertina FERREIRA MAGALHÃES

Email: formermembers@europarl.europa.eu – Tel. +32 (0)2 284 07 03

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