Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo
"Democracy is not just a theory that lives in books, it is a practice that lives in people."
On 23 October 2025, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, honoured the Walter Hallstein Institute with a Humboldt Speech on Europe. Osmani-Sadriu spoke on the topic of "Defending Democracy in the 21st Century: Lessons from Europe's Youngest Republic".
Prof. Dr Dres. h.c. Juliane Kokott, Advocate General at the European Court of Justice
"Even the best goals do not allow us to shift the boundary between law and politics."
The Walter Hallstein Institute was delighted to welcome Prof. Dr Dres. h.c. Juliane Kokott on 28 November 2024 for a Humboldt speech in the Senate Hall of Humboldt-Universit?t. She spoke on the topic of "The ECJ as a driver of integration".
Adam Bodnar, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Poland
"You can have six locks instead of one but they will not protect you from a thief."
On 2 July 2024, the Walter Hallstein Institute welcomed the Polish Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar as a speaker. He spoke on the topic of "Rule of Law as a Key Value of European Integration" in the university's ballroom.
George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta
"In a time where our values and ideals are threatened by war and turmoil, populism, the resurgence of extremist political ideals or competing values, we must continue to believe in, and to strive towards, a stronger European Union."
On 25 January 2024, the Walter Hallstein Institute welcomed the Maltese President George Vella. He spoke in the newly refurbished Senate Hall on the topic of "Reflections on the present world order".
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
"If we are to grow, if we are to remain a force to be reckoned with, if we are not to stagnate, we cannot be afraid to lead the debate for change."
On 23 October 2023, the Walter Hallstein Institute welcomed the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. In the ballroom, Ms Metsola presented her vision of a strong Europe with a promising future on the world stage and described the urgency of reorienting the EU under the title "Relaunch, Reform, Reimagine Europe".
Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice and the Rule of Law
"The Rule of Law is of existential importance for the European Union. Without it, the European Union [...] will no longer be able to exist as we know it."
On 23 November 2022, the Walter Hallstein Institute welcomed the Commissioner for Justice and the Rule of Law, Didier Reynders. He spoke on the topic of "Protecting and strengthening the Rule of Law in the European Union".
Sauli Niinist?, President of the Republic of Finland
"Without the power - both economic and military - to support our diplomacy, no amount of negotiating skills can prevent a further weakening of the European impact on the global level."
On 23 November 2021, the President of Finland, Sauli Niinist?, visited Humboldt-Universit?t for a Humboldt Speech on Europe. In his speech, he spoke on the topic of "The case for a stronger Europe in a harder world".
Margrethe Vestager, Vice-President of the European Commission
"I [...] have the unpleasant feeling that democracy is somewhat losing ground. That the open spaces of the past have dwindled into the fragmented online spaces where no one really has to talk with one another anymore."
On 25 October 2021, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, honoured the Walter Hallstein Institute with a Humboldt Speech on Europe - the first time in a full Senate Hall since the pandemic. She spoke about "Democratic values in a digitalised Europe".
Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia
"It is not an option for governments to gurantee digital IDs, therefore internet safety for their citizens but [...] it is an obligation."
On 10 November 2020, Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia, gave a Humboldt Speech on Europe online on the topic of "EU's role in supporting Member States in digital transformation in a legally permissive environment".
