Research Seminar with Theodore Christov

The Department of International Relations together with the International Laboratory on World Order and the New Regionalism and the Bulgarian Club of HSE held a seminar on the topic “European integration: Eastern European aspect” on Wednesday, November 24, 2021(18:00 MSK). The seminar was conducted by the Associate Professor of Honors in History and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University – Theodore Christov.

Professor Christov touched on essential topics linked to the current situation and the future perspective of the European Union. He also elaborated on the European integration as part of the enlargement of the Union, pointing out the integration process of new candidates and detailing the tasks and problems before them. Another point the professor made was the rise of Euroscepticism and Eurosceptic political parties, which aim for a looser EU, end to the eurozone or altogether the disbandment of the Union.

Professor Christov continued with the challenges the Union faces related to the event of Brexit, the emerging signs of divisions among members and the crisis of migration and refugee flows into the EU. The lecturer expanded on an important subject of the seminar - the relations between the EU and Russia, building on the deliberation of Russia as a strategic partner or a potential threat to the security of the EU. According to professor Christov, the future of the European Union, despite many challenges, foresees a strong transparent union with the intensification of the engagement of its citizens and remaining the strongest and deepest form of integration in the world.