Visby – ESI at the 2023 Visby Conference: Will peace and order ever be possible?

Gerald Knaus with Carl Bildt (Co-Chair European Council on Foreign Relations) and Diana Janse (Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation). Photo: ESI

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to participate in the annual Visby Conference, this year under the title “Will peace and order ever be possible?”.

In his presentation, Gerald emphasised the importance of collective efforts in shaping  Europe’s democratic future, highlighting the need for compassionate refugee policies.

He also presented ESI’s recommendations for integrating the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova into the EU. Additionally, he detailed strategies for establishing humane border management and identifying safe third countries, ensuring that these measures align with human rights standards and foster a responsible, effective approach to migration and asylum.

• ESI proposal: Safe Third Country Agreements
• ESI proposal: Humane Borders
• "End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process"
• "Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal"