| Updates
Harnessing European Research Potential for Growth and Employment: Challenges, Opportunities and Priorities
January 30, 2008
Research and innovation are critical to maintaining a leadership position and to compete in the global economy. Dr. Isi Saragossi, Director of the European Commission’s “European Research Area: Knowledge-Based Economy” directorate, and Dr. Charles Wessner, Director of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The National Academies discussed the challenges and opportunities for U.S. and European policy makers and the scientific communities.
A Transatlantic Divide: Exploring European and American Approaches to the Death Penalty
December 17, 2007
As New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine was signing into law a measure abolishing capital punishment, European and American decision makers and experts examined the divergent transatlantic approaches to the death penalty.
The Arctic: The Implications of Maritime Policies, Climate Change, and the Law of the Sea Treaty
December 4, 2007
H.E. Wegger Chr. Strommen, Ambassador of Norway to the U.S.; Rafe Pomerance, President of the Climate Policy Center, George Newton, former Chairman of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, and Amb. David Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries, discussed key issues related to the Arctic, such as climate change, territorial claims, and energy.
The Multiplication of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): A Case for Transatlantic Cooperation on Rules Ensuring Safety and Climate Control
November 12, 2007
The contribution of small unmanned vehicle systems to earth surveillance and the treatment of emergency situations is increasing in parallel to their commercial, homeland security and military applications. This conference addressed the need for ensuring the security of their traffic and making sure that this development is environmentally safe. Speakers included Peter van Blyenburgh, President of UVS International and Gerald F. “Fred” Pease, Executive Director for the Department of Defense Policy Board on Federal Aviation.
The European Reform Treaty: Implications of Changes Proposed
November 1, 2007
Noëlle Lenoir, former French Minister of European Affairs, reviewed the changes being considered in the new European Treaty and their implications.
Prospects for the European Reform Treaty
October 30, 2007
Christian Leffler, Head of Cabinet for Margot Wallström, Vice President and Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communications Strategy at the European Commission, discussed the progress made on the EU Reform Treaty at the Lisbon summit and assessed the importance of the treaty in the context of European integration.
Impact of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on Sustainable Energy Production and Energy Efficiency
October 29, 2007
A delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy discussed the effectiveness of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as well as transatlantic cooperation on energy and climate change issues.
France and the Transatlantic Relationship: A New Chapter?
October 18, 2007
His Excellency Pierre Vimont, newly appointed Ambassador of France to the United States, discussed President Nicolas Sarkozy’s goals for transatlantic relations and for the EU, as France assumes the presidency of the European Council in the latter part of 2008.
Consumer Protection and the Transatlantic Relationship
October 3, 2007
The Honorable Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer Protection discussed the Commission’s Review of Consumer Protection Law, which seeks to strengthen, modernize and harmonize consumer protection regulations within the member states of European Union. Lydia Parnes, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission offered a U.S. perspective.
Transatlantic Cooperation on Missile Defense
September 18, 2007
In view of increased threats to national security, Lt. General Henry A. “Trey” Obering III, Director of the Missile Defense Agency with the U.S. Department of Defense, discussed the status of U.S. plans for missile defense and for placing new missile interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Transatlantic Cooperation on EU-U.S. Aviation Issues
September 13, 2007
The Chairman and Members of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee discussed the status of the Open Skies Agreement, the inclusion of aviation into the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and aviation security issues.
Annual Meeting of the Members and Board of Advisors of The European Institute
September 10, 2007
National security and the threat of climate change was discussed at the meeting hosted by H.E. Alexandros Mallias, Ambassador of Greece to the US who reviewed the lessons learned from the summer’s forest fires in his country. Kurt Volker, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs assessed the priorities for the transatlantic relationship.
New Trends in Defense Procurement and Export Control:
Views from the U.S., Europe and NATO
May 22, 2007
Participants discussed the impact of export controls (ITAR) on defense procurement and European initiatives to streamline the process and create a more competitive environment. Speakers included The Hon. Robert Bell, Chairman of the NATO Industrial Advisor Group (NIAG) Study Group on Trans-Atlantic Defense Industrial Cooperation and The Hon. Marshall Billingslea, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy.
Transatlantic Cooperation on Biotechnology: Biosimilars and Orphan Medicines
May 10, 2007
Georgette Lalis, Director of the Directorate for Consumer Goods, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission, and Dr. Murray Lumpkin, Deputy Commissioner for International and Special Programs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, discussed the regulatory frameworks for authorizing the marketing of follow-on biologics, referred to in Europe as biosimilars.
Transatlantic Cooperation on Cyber Security
May 2, 2007
Jacques Bus, Head of Unit ICT for Trust and Security at the European Commission and John Kropf, Director of International Privacy Programs, Privacy Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security discussed cyber security and the challenge of protecting society while complying with democratic values and respecting user privacy.
Transatlantic Leadership Award Presented to José Manuel Barroso
April 30, 2007
The Hon. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, was recognized for his life long dedication to furthering the transatlantic relationship. The Hon. Timothy Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation, introduced President Barroso and commended him for his efforts to constructively engage the United States on global warming. He also applauded the European Commission’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Broadband and Content Regulation: New Media, New Standards
April 24, 2007
Ed Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries and David Hendon, Director of Business Relations in the Enterprise and Business Group at the British Department of Trade and Industry discussed Ofcom’s objectives, regulation in the digital age, universal access and consumer protection.
U.S.-EU Data Protection Principles: Ensuring Security without Compromising Privacy
April 17, 2007
Following the European Parliament’s recent initiatives to improve European-U.S. cooperation on data privacy and toward reaching an agreement on General Principles of Data Protection, a discussion was convened with a delegation of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, headed by The Hon. Jonathan Evans, Chairman of the Delegation for Relations with the U.S. Among their concerns, they cited SWIFT and PNR, as well as the need for more dialogue with Congress.
The U.S., the Eurozone, and Global Financial Markets
April 13, 2007
At this international seminar, The Honorable Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), commented on the process of financial integration in Europe and the economy’s potential for stronger non-inflationary economic growth. Other topics discussed included EU economic reforms, labor market participation and productivity in the euro zone; U.S. foreign investment legislation, CFIUS, financial services regulations.
A European Defense Industrial Base: The French Approach
March 23, 2007
Lt. Gen. Patrick Auroy, French Deputy National Armament Director, DGA, noted that an ongoing transformation of the European industrial base is in progress. He outlined the major trends of industrial policy in Europe, and addressed the need to open the defense market and the challenges created by export controls. The Honorable William Greenwalt, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy offered a U.S. perspective.
Transatlantic Cooperation on Supply Chain Security
March 7, 2007
The Honorable László Kovács, European Commissioner for the Taxation and Customs Union, and Robert Verrue, Director General, discussed current initiatives in supply chain security, such as 100% scanning proposed by the U.S. Congress, the effects on international trade and the prospects for transatlantic cooperation.
Transatlantic Approaches to Energy Security and Emerging Economies
March 6, 2007
The Honorable Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Energy highlighted the EU’s leadership role in energy and climate policies, to build an international consensus for combating climate change. Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, stressed public private partnerships in gas pipeline projects, dependence on Russian energy, and gas flows from the Caspian Sea region into Europe.
Special discussion with a Delegation from the European Court of Justice
February 26, 2007
Judge Koen Lenaerts compared the legal frameworks of the European Union and the United States. While the EU has federal characteristics, it does not have state powers such as taxation. He also pointed out the differences in the understanding of “union” across the Atlantic.
Energy and Climate Policy: New Stakeholders, New Strategies
February 16, 2007
Following warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and in the Stern Report, The Honorable Stavros Dimas, European Commissioner for the Environment, reviewed European initiatives for energy and climate policies and the prospects for transatlantic cooperation, with U.S. and European government and industry representatives.
Evolving European Defense Procurement and Integration Policies
February 14, 2007
Nick Witney, the European Defence Agency’s Chief Executive, discussed his agency’s goals and procurement policies and noted that strengthening the European defense industry will benefit both Europe and the U.S.
Ambitions and Limitations of the German Presidency of the European Union
January 19, 2007
Special discussion with His Excellency Klaus Scharioth, Ambassador of Germany to the United States, who outlined the priorities of the German Presidency of the European Union, which runs from January through June of 2007, and addressed a number of areas the Presidency will tackle.
Washington, DC Web Design by
Blue Water Media
|
