This conference brought together world-leading academics and practitioners, to reflect critically yet constructively on the past achievements of the internal market in the process of European integration, its current state (including the various legal and political controversies that have arisen over the past years, especially in relation to its arguably imperfect accommodation of other public interests), and its future (including the challenges and opportunities posed by digitalization and technological progress more generally).
The aim of the conference was to formulate fundamental and concrete proposals for the further development of the internal market project, on the basis of a holistic and honest account of the past and present, its achievements and its failings.
Keynotes speeches were delivered by European Commissioner Elżbieta BIENKOWSKA, Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs; and Lora BORISSOVA, Head of Cabinet of European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, Digital Economy and Society.
The conference commemorated the late Professor Alfonso MATTERA, distinguished faculty member of the Department of European Legal Studies of the College of Europe and invaluable contributor to the internal market project through his work in the European Commission and as an academic. Specifically, the opening panel session on "The Internal Market in its Historical Context" was held in his honor, and was chaired by Professor Laurence W. GORMLEY.
Speakers’ contributions will be published in either an edited volume or as a special journal edition, to be determined.
Contact person: Valérie HAUSPIE
