The Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies (WMCES) announces a significant expansion of its Honorary Board, with the addition of two highly influential figures: former European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, and former Estonian Prime Minister, Juhan Parts. This strategic move bolsters the WMCES’ intellectual capacity and expertise, enabling it to address the complex challenges facing the European Union with greater insight and effectiveness.

Mikuláš Dzurinda, President of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the addition of J. M. Barroso and J. Parts as members of the Centre’s Honorary Board:

“We are honoured to welcome these distinguished individuals to the WMCES Honorary Board. Their wealth of experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to work to promote a strong, united, and prosperous Europe. I am confident that these new members will make a significant contribution to the WMCES and ultimately to the entire EPP” said Dzurinda.

The Honorary Board serves as a vital pillar of the Centre’s mission, bringing together esteemed leaders from European politics, former prime ministers from the EPP family, to bolster the Centre’s work. With the addition of Barroso and Parts, the Board gains an unprecedented depth of experience and knowledge, further solidifying its position as a leading source of expertise on European affairs.

Notes to editors:
José Manuel Barroso was President of the European Commission during two mandates (2004 – 2014) and served for twelve years in the Portuguese Government in several positions, including as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. His academic appointments included visiting professor at Georgetown University and visiting professor at Princeton University.  He is currently a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Portugal and at the European University Institute, School of Transnational Governance, Florence. On behalf of the European Union, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

Juhan Parts is an Estonian politician known for his dedicated service and leadership in both national and international arenas. For the past 30 years, he has constantly been employed in various public offices as Prime Minister, Minister, Auditor General, and Member of the European Court of Auditors. In that period of time, the Estonian people have built a free, democratic, European state, based on the market economy and civil society, on the ruins of the Soviet empire.

About the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies:
The Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, established in 2007, is the political foundation and think tank of the European People’s Party. The Martens Centre embodies a pan-European mindset, promoting Christian Democrat, conservative and like-minded political values. It serves as a framework for national political foundations linked to member parties of the EPP.
https://www.martenscentre.eu

For more information, please contact:
Eleftheria Katsi
Communications and Press Officer
ek@martenscentre.eu