In the framework of the “Citizens’ dialogues” initiative promoted by the European Commission, a series of conferences on the major crises affecting the European neighbourhood were organised by IAI in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in Italy, University of Trento, University of Catania and Centro Studi sul Federalismo (CSF) of Torino. The seminars focused on two crisis theatres: Ukraine in the east and Libya in the south.

The institutional architecture of the European Union (EU) and the different decision-making procedures regulating European policies pose several questions on the existence of a government for the Union and the nature of such government. In recent years, following important changes in the European institutional structure and balances, the topic has arisen repeatedly in the political and academic debate.