The conference titled “The EU as a Union of Solidarity” will take place on 23 and 24 April 2026 at the Faculty of Law of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), in Hall 319. Bringing together leading scholars and experts, the event is structured around thematic sessions that aim to explore the meaning and evolution of solidarity within the European Union from both legal and policy-oriented perspectives.

The first day is devoted to the social dimension of EU solidarity. It opens with discussions on EU social policies and their interaction with national administrations, focusing on recent developments such as the European Pillar of Social Rights and related financial instruments. A second session examines social and workers’ rights, addressing issues like subsidiarity, minimum wage regulation, and the legal enforceability of social rights. These topics highlight the growing importance of social considerations in the EU’s constitutional and regulatory framework.

The programme then turns to broader and more contemporary challenges, including digital constitutionalism, consular protection, and the political implications of solidarity in the face of rising illiberal and radical movements in Europe. On the second day, attention shifts to fiscal integration and migration. Discussions cover the role of solidarity in the EU’s budgetary system and the implications of deeper economic integration, before concluding with an analysis of solidarity in the EU asylum system, particularly in relation to burden-sharing and mutual trust among Member States. Overall, the conference provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of solidarity as a central and evolving principle of EU integration.

View the event programme

Watch the event online