As globalisation intensifies, the balance between national sovereignty and deeper European integration has become a key political issue, in Romania and beyond. EU member states face tough questions about giving up aspects of sovereignty to a supranational body. 

Supporters of national sovereignty stress the importance of self-governance, cultural identity, and democratic control, warning that EU regulations can erode local laws and autonomy. Meanwhile, advocates of EU federalism point to the benefits of collective action—economic stability, security, and cooperation on global issues like climate change and migration. 

This debate is crucial not only for policymakers but also for citizens who feel the effects of these decisions in their daily lives. This discussion, as part of the Transylvania Lectures series invites participants to explore the complex relationship between national interests and the advantages of a unified Europe. As we delve into the arguments on both sides, we encourage open dialogue and critical thinking about the future of our nations within the European framework. 

Participants: 

Dr Teresa Nogueira Pinto is a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the Lusófona University in Portugal. She holds a PhD in Globalisation Studies, and, beyond academia, she works as a political analyst.  

Dr. Radu Albu-Comănescu is a lecturer at the Faculty of European Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University. He is a member of the advisory board of the Rațiu Forum at the London School of Economics; associate of the think-tank Visegrad Insight in Warsaw. He is active in various international NGOs and Romanian public policy think-tanks. Deputy Director of the Institute of International Relations and Area Studies at the BBU. 

Moderator: Balázs Kató is a student at MCC. He is majoring in Psychology at Babes-Bolyai University, and in International Relations and European Studies at Sapientia University.   

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