Launched in 2002, The European Institute’s Transatlantic Roundtable on Cooperation in Homeland Security, examines the opportunities and challenges for Europeans and Americans to strengthen cooperation and generate innovative new policies to improve the protection of infrastructure, resources, and citizenry from the threat of international terrorism. This project has been instrumental in bringing together U.S. administration officials, representatives from the U.S. Congress, leaders in European governments and the European Union, corporate representatives, and policy experts to exchange views on these critical issues.
Although the United States and Europe stand together on many common threats, greater transatlantic cooperation is required in the war against terrorism. In today’s increasingly challenging environment, non-state actors pose a broad range of threats that cut across myriad sectors and undermine the free flow of people, goods and services that is at the heart of the transatlantic relationship. The urgency of comprehensive and mutually beneficial civil security is a priority in both Europe and the United States, and cooperative policies and engagement have direct implications for both continents. The European Institute’s program promotes sustained dialogue between representatives of government agencies and industry to facilitate multinational initiatives, improve levels of exchange between the public and private sectors, and generate new public/private partnerships.