The aim of this programme is to better understand European Governance after the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in the light of the challenges of the recent economic crisis. It examines the attempt of the EU to regulate the balance of its powers and to become more efficient in the field of decision making, in order to achieve a sustainable balance between levels of governance, between large and small member states and between richer and poorer regions. It also examines the implications of the largest enlargement in the history of the EU. Within the context of the programme, the gaps of the economic governance system which were revealed by the economic crisis, are also analyzed. In addition, the programme refers to the way that existing tools should be strengthened and expanded so that the economic and fiscal policy of the EU are coordinated. Greece’s European policy is also examined in comparison to the other member-states’ policy.

Topics:

1. Institutional framework and decision-making in the EU
2. Lobbying in the EU
3. European political system of other Member States
4. Τhirty years since the accession of Greece to the EU
5. Enlargement
6. External aspects of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)
7. EU Budget: National Strategic Reference Framework
8. Crisis of the Euro and its impact