FMA Annual Events | 20-21 May 2025
Honoring Legacies, Inspiring Discourse, Uniting Voices at the Annual Events of the FMA
The European Parliament Former Members Association (FMA) celebrated its Annual Events on May 20th to 21st, 2025, in Brussels, an occasion for collective reflection and discussion on the main and most pressing issues on the European political agenda. The occasion also provided the a moment of commemoration, in the form of a Memorial Service for those former MEPs, who had died within the last year.
On the evening of 20 May 2025, the FMA, under the patronage of the European Parliament, held the sixteenth Annual Memorial Service. The ceremony took place in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels and paid tribute to the service and legacy of the deceased Members, whose contributions have left a lasting imprint on European parliamentary democracy.
- Re-Watch the Memorial Service – Recording available on the FMA website
- Brochure of the ceremony is available here.
- A list of deceased former MEPs who were commemorated at the 2025 Memorial Service is available on the FMA website.
The ceremony opened with a welcome speech by FMA Vice-President Monica Baldi:
“In this Hemicycle where the voices of our colleagues once rose in passionate defence of freedom, justice and unity – we pause to honour those voices now silent, but never forgotten.”
The Vice-President of the European Parliament Ewa Kopacz delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Members.
“Those we commemorate today came from different countries, they spoke different languages and represented different parties and visions of the future… but they were united by something more — the conviction that the EU is not an abstract institution, but a common project built through daily effort and responsibility.”
The ceremony continued with selected readings by FMA Board Members, culminating in the traditional roll call of the names of those commemorated and a closing oration by Klaus Hänsch, Former President of the European Parliament and FMA President:
“All our deceased colleagues who were with us for a part of the history of our Parliament paved the way for that daring experiment of a Parliament unique anywhere in the world.”
“Let me end by saying what we owe our late colleagues: Standing up; Going strong; Holding fast.”
The service was attended by numerous former and current MEPs, EP officials and guests. Several family members of the deceased MEPs were also present, both in person and via live online connection.
On 20 May 2025, the FMA hosted a Cocktail Reception and a Dinner Debate in the Members’ Restaurant of the European Parliament. These events were chaired by FMA President and former President of the European Parliament, Klaus Hänsch, and brought together former and current Members of the European Parliament, EP officials and family members of the late MEPs commemorated earlier that evening.
Marc Angel and Fabienne Keller, Quaestors of the European Parliament responsible for relations with the FMA warmly welcomed the FMA members and guests.
During the dinner, the Guest Speaker Ms. Arianna Podestà, Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission, delivered an insightful keynote speech titled: “Europe’s Choice: from trade to defence, the key decisions shaping our future in the current geopolitical landscape”, addressing the major policy crossroads facing Europe today. Ms Podestà stated:
“In this complex and uncertain environment, Europe faces a defining choice: will we embrace a future defined by cooperation and strategic autonomy, or will we become passive players in a world increasingly shaped by others?”
The keynote was followed by an engaging Q&A session with FMA members on key geopolitical, economic and institutional challenges facing the European Union.
The event continued with a brief presentation of the “SECOND CONCLAVE REPORT” by Re-Imagine Europa entitled “Power Agenda for a Global, Sustainable And Responsible Europe presented by Maria João Rodrigues, President of Re-Imagine Europa, who participated in the event as a Special Guest.
The dinner debate provided an essential platform for the exchange of ideas and perspectives on the present and future of Europe. It also reaffirmed the value of continued engagement between the FMA, current MEPs and leading voices from European institutions and civil society.
On 21 May 2025, the Former Members Association (FMA) held its 24th Annual General Assembly at the European Parliament in Brussel.
Former MEPs Michael Hindley, Manuel Porto, Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl and Teresa Riera Madurell were re-elected members of the Management Committee while Edit Herczog was elected member for the first time. The entire Management Committee, which is composed of ten members convened for the first meeting of in the afternoon.
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. Members 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 those of the Parliament. Particularly appreciated are the interventions of the FMA members in seminars, conferences, in cooperation with universities and
schools, such as the well-respected educational program “EP to Campus”, in study visits and EU
Presidency.
PRESS CONTACT
Valerie Raskin, Events & Communication Assistant
Email: formermembers@europarl.europa.eu – Tel. +32 (0)2 284 07 03
www.formermembers.eu – Follow us on X and Facebook