New Leadership Elected at the General Assembly
The General Assembly of the International Pan-European Union took place from 14 to 16 February 2025 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Alain Terrenoire was elected Honorary President and Pavo Barišić was elected President. A new Presidency Council was also elected.
More than 200 representatives of 30 Pan-European member organisations from 21 countries took part in the General Assembly.
The following members were elected to the Council of Presidency: Anna Záborská (Slovakia, Acting Vice-President), Walburga Habsburg Douglas (Sweden, Vice-President), Dirk Voss (Germany, Vice-President), Eric Campion (France, Vice-President), Vanja Gavran (Croatia, Secretary General), Johannes Kijas (Germany, Treasurer), Gordana Đurović (Montenegro), Mislav Ježić (Croatia), Andrej Lepavcov (North Macedonia), Alexandru Nazare (Romania), Bernd Posselt (Germany), Joséphine Staron (France), Franjo Topić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Ihor Zhaloba (Ukraine).
The outgoing President, Alain Terrenoire, gave a speech in which he outlined the geopolitical situation in Europe and the world. He made a strong plea for strengthening the independence of European defence and support for Ukraine.
At the festive closing dinner hosted by Paneurope France at the Cercle Militaire, Honorary President Terrenoire was honoured and presented with commemorative gifts.
The newly elected President Pavo Barišić expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him with the following words: ‘It is an honour for me to assume the office of President of the International Pan-European Union. This trust obliges me to work tirelessly in the service of our common ideals - freedom, peace, solidarity and democracy. In cooperation with all of you, I will endeavour to fulfil the expectations of our Pan-European family and to contribute to the strengthening and expansion of the movement’.
He will pay particular attention to strengthening existing organisations, reviving the Pan-European spirit and involving young people. He emphasised that ‘each generation must continuously rebuild and strengthen the Pan-European vision by following the original Pan-European idea of unity between European nations and states’. He emphasised the need to extend the European Union to Southeast Europe and reminded everyone of the obligation to support Ukraine, Moldova and other countries that want and deserve to be part of the European family.
Barišić thanked his predecessor, Alain Terrenoire, for his dedicated work. He recalled the important role of the founder of the Pan-European Union, Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, whose vision of a united Europe was ultimately realised despite all the challenges, as well as the long-serving President Otto von Habsburg and all the prominent personalities who shaped the Pan-European mission.
‘My task is to continue the vision of Pan-Europe as a driving force for a united, free and democratic Europe. Europe is facing major challenges today - armed conflicts, threats to freedom, economic and political uncertainties. It is crucial to strengthen a common European foreign policy and defence capabilities to ensure a secure and prosperous Europe,’ said the new President.
The General Assembly was also addressed by Members of the European Parliament and Vice-Presidents of the Croatian Pan-European Union, Davor Ivo Stier and Karlo Ressler.
The General Assembly adopted a declaration and several resolutions.
After the General Assembly, Honorary President Terrenoire sent the attached message to the membership of the International Pan-European Union.
Agenda (FR/DE/EN) (PDF)
Conference programme (EN) (PDF)
Speech by President Alain Terrenoire (EN) (PDF)
Speech by the Elected President (EN) (PDF)
Declaration of the General Assembly (EN) (PDF)
Resolution of the General Assembly (EN) (PDF)
Message from the Honorary President (EN) (PDF)