European Institute

On the occasion of the annual Ambassadors’ Dinner, The European Institute launched a new initiative on Russia-EU-U.S. Triangular Relations. The fluidity and complexity of common strategic, economic, energy and environmental challenges can best be met through effective triangular cooperation. His Excellency Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, His Excellency Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo, Ambassador of Spain to the United States and Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the U.S. State Department Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy offered their assessments of the prospects for stronger triangular cooperation.

On Tuesday December 1, 2009, The European Institute, in cooperation with the Royal Danish Embassy, convened a meeting to address prospects for the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference and U.S. energy and environment policy. While expectations for the conference to achieve real success have fallen recently, the experts who addressed the two panel seminar all concurred that this conference is an essential step towards securing effective climate change legislation.

Ed Richards, Chief Executive Officer at the United Kingsom’s Office of Communications (OFCOM) and Blair Levin, Executive Director, Omnibus Broadband Initiative at the Federal Communications Commission addressed issues related to the growing global push for universal broadband access, national investment in expanding communications infrastructure and the challenge of encouraging competition. As national governments look for ways to encourage recovery and sustain long term growth, expanding broadband coverage and promoting the communications market is increasingly crucial. Christopher Boam, Director of International Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at Verizon Communications moderated the discussion and a lively question and answer period.