On 12 March 2019, Genova University faculty member Carlo degli Abbati visited IKV and gave a conference to IKV experts. During the interactive meeting, which was also attended by IKV Vice Chairman Prof. Haluk Kabaalioğlu and IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas, Prof. Carlo degli Abbati shared his assessment on the current situation in the EU and answered the questions of experts on a variety of issues namely; EP elections, migration, Brexit, rise of China and Transatlantic relations.

Prof. Abbati highlighted the disruption of social justice as the principal cause of the problems the EU is currently faced with. Concerning the upcoming EP elections in which the populists are expected to make big gains, Prof. Abbati stated that the Greens could play a critical role in balancing the anti-EU forces. Regarding migration, while pointing out to the fact that the EU population was aging with the median age being 44, Prof. Abbati indicated that neither the anti-migration approach favoured by politicians led by Orbán nor the open-door approach offered a suitable response in dealing with migration. He advocated a rational approach which was a mix of both. On Brexit, Prof. Abbati pointed out to the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, and stated that with UK leaving the EU, the EU could finally go through with plans to develop a more autonomous approach in defence.