During the first half of 2018, a series of expert forums will be organised around Europe on topical matters and challenges facing the European Union, and will be conducted as the ALDE Party considers its manifesto for the 2019 elections to the European Parliament.

Experts in the respective fields from our member parties are warmly invited to participate in these meetings for sharing their views and actively contributing to the manifesto drafting process.

The fourth Manifesto Forum, organised by ALDE Party with the support of Venstre and Radikale Venstre took place in Copenhagen on Friday 13 April. The main topical focus this time was on international trade.

The European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, opened with an inspiring keynote speech emphasising the role of the European Union in an every time more globalised world. She highlighted that the EU should shape globalisation defending EU values as well as environmental and social standards. Especially throughout its ambitious trade negotiation agenda, the EU has powers to shape globalisation. She stated that while it is normal to fear globalisation, building walls and closing borders is not constructive, concluding that there is no option to hide from the world: "Europe needs to build bridges and I can't think of a better political family to do this than the liberals."

.@MalmstromEU: “We, as liberals, need to fight for openness, prosperity and wealth. We need to embrace change and never be afraid of it” #ALDEmanifesto pic.twitter.com/H6svA5MFyQ

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) April 13, 2018

The discussions on trade focused on two main aspects: Europe as the new world leader of free trade and how to make free trade sustainable – environmental standards, human and social rights in modern free trade agreements. You can watch the livestream of each of the panel debates below.

Free Trade is a job-creater, not a job-killer. Important conference with @ALDEParty @venstredk and @radikale at Danske Rederier. How do we create free trade that is backed by our citizens. #aldemanifesto #dkpol #eupol pic.twitter.com/4G9ILTEc8i

— Kristian Jensen (@Kristian_Jensen) April 13, 2018

Before the discussions, we also had the opportunity to have a Facebook Live talk with Morten Ostergaard, party leader of Radikale Venstre.

At the end of the event, we also discussed on a Facebook Live chat with Morten Løkkegaard MEP, Vice President of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament and a member of Venstre.

Do you want to read a more thorough summary of the content of the discussions? Check it out here.

You can take a look at some of the best moments of the manifesto forum in Copenhagen on our Flickr album. Scroll through the pictures below:

For an overview of all the expert forums coming up in spring , take a look here.