At the very origin of the European project, there were at least two men, the Italian Alcide de Gasperi and the Frenchman Robert Schuman, who had many things in common: they were both frontiersmen who shared the same political, religious and linguistic views. To mark the 70th anniversary of Alcide de Gasperi's death, the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Fondazione Alcide De Gasperi organised an event in Paris on 15 January, two of the contributions to which we are now publishing. At a time when the European project is facing major challenges at the start of this year, it is worth remembering the courage and vision of those who laid the foundations of European integration 75 years ago.

On 31 December 2024, the gas transit agreement signed in 2019 between the Ukrainian network operator and Russia expired. Gilles Lepesant details the recent developments in the new geopolitics of gas since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the alternatives that have followed, particularly in Europe.

'While the news usually focuses on the - sometimes tense - relations between 'Brussels' and the national capitals, the day-to-day life of local authorities is linked to the construction of Europe'. This study looks at the trilateral relations between local authorities, Member States and the European Union as regards the management of cohesion funds.

The former Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, took over the Presidency of the European Council on 1 December. 'Unlike his three Belgian and Polish predecessors, António Costa comes from the south of the continent. He is also the first Socialist to hold the post, after two members of the EPP and one Liberal. This political choice is explained by the desire to represent the European majority (EPP, S&D, Renew) that already existed in 2019'. This study paints a portrait of the new President and looks back at his past political achievements in an attempt to outline the contours of his forthcoming term of office.

'Europe must completely change its immigration policy. It must move from a 'fortress Europe' to being a Europe that organises its immigration, so that it is conducive to its economic development'. This study looks at the migration issues facing the European Union and suggests ways of curbing illegal immigration and training people to meet Europe's needs.

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Agenda

De Gasperi-Schuman: the origins of the European Project

Between the Baltic and the Balkans, the new geopolitics of gas

The role of local communities in European policies.

António Costa, a Socialist from the South, to preside over the European Council

The path to controlled immigration