2-4 September 2025, Poland

Co-organised by the ECR Group, the the 40th edition of the Carpathian Europe Forum takes place in Karpacz.

From 2–4 September 2025, political leaders, parliamentarians, experts, and representatives of civil society will gather in Karpacz for the 40th edition of the Carpathian Europe Forum co-organised by the ECR Group. Over the past two decades, this unique platform has become one of the most important meeting points for dialogue and cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe.

This year’s edition will address key issues such as:

• the security of Central and Eastern Europe in the face of global crises

• rebuilding Ukraine as a tool for reconciliation and regional cooperation

• the future of the Visegrad Group and the European Union

• the importance of cultural and natural heritage in shaping a sustainable Carpathian identity

• new opportunities for cross-border partnerships, energy security, and economic development

Panel VIII - The future of the European Union. Is the European Union still a community of equal and sovereign states?

A highlight of the Forum will be Panel VIII, devoted to the ongoing debate about the future of the European Union. The discussion will address crucial questions about the balance between national sovereignty and EU centralisation, as well as the challenges of treaty reforms, enlargement, security and defence policy, eurozone reforms, climate policy, and the EU’s role in global affairs.

The panel will also consider the judgments of national Constitutional Tribunals regarding the primacy of national constitutions over European law, the risks of excessive centralisation in Brussels, and the importance of maintaining a union that respects the diversity and sovereignty of its member states.

The debate will be moderated by Bogdan Rzońca, Member of the European Parliament, ECR Group, Poland.

Follow the conference live here: https://www.youtube.com/live/NOxu5iRgT2I

Panel X – Three Seas Cooperation – Security of the Intermarium

A central highlight of the 40th Carpathian Europe Forum will be Panel X, devoted to the Three Seas Initiative and its role in strengthening the security and resilience of Central and Eastern Europe.

The discussion will focus on how infrastructure, energy diversification, defence cooperation, and cyber resilience form the backbone of the Intermarium region’s security architecture. By developing strong economic ties and solidarity across the region, the Three Seas Initiative can serve as both a driver of prosperity and a safeguard against external pressures and hybrid threats.

Participants in this panel include:

• Anna Zalewska , Member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, European Parliament, Poland

The full programme is available here: https://europakarpat.org/40-forum-europa-karpat/