Event report

5. Hertensteiner Talks The meanwhile 5. Hertensteiner conversations took place for the second time “online”. This had the advantage that participants from all over Germany participated in this year’s talks. All European federalists and those interested in Europe can participate in the annual Hertenstein talks since 2017. These will take place in Heilbronn in September or as virtual conversations using appropriate video software. This year, the Hertenstein talks focused on four very different discussion groups, each of which from a different point of view dealt with the Conference on the Future of Europe, some of which were very critical. So there were participants who welcomed this conference without any ifs and buts and also as a good step towards a new constitutional convention, but also participants who viewed this future conference only as a kind of fig leaf of the European Commission or even as a useless and completely superfluous “talking shop” of unprecedented size. The four this year’s discussion groups were concerned, first, “The European Citizens’ Initiative — What we know after almost 10 years”, second, “What did the coronavirus crisis do with European self-confidence?”, thirdly, “what is the importance of transatlantic relations for Europe?” and, fourth, “why do we need the United States of Europe as soon as possible?” As usual with the Hertensteiner talks, the minutes and results of the talks will be evaluated in the coming months and agreed between the participants again before they are summarising the 5. Hertensteiner Talks will be published. The Hertensteiner talks now also have their own website as well as a corresponding forum, where anyone interested can further information or can also supplement and continue existing discussions. The website of the Hertensteiner conversations can be found at: https://hertenstein.euhn.eu