European Institute

On December 10, 2014, The European Institute hosted a special seminar examining the changing regional energy security in Europe.  Offering perspectives from European nations in both the northern and southern regions, participants assessed their nation’s own energy strategies, as well as the prospects for greater regional and the EU wide-cooperation that are necessary in order to insure sustainable energy independence.  Participants included His Excellency Andris Razāns, Ambassador of Latvia to the United States; His Excellency Kåre Aas, Ambassador of Norway to the United States; Anne Vasara, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Finland; Maciej Pisarski, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland; Hendrik Barkeling, Head of the Economic and Commercial Section at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; Her Excellency Elena Poptodorova, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United States; His Excellency Iulian Buga, Ambassador of Romania to the United States; Peter Zeleňák, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic; and Carlo Romeo, Counselor for Economic and Scientific Affairs at the Embassy of Italy.

On November 20, 2014, The European Institute organized a breakfast event with Damien Levie, Head of the Trade & Agriculture Section at the Delegation of the European Union and Angela Ellard, Committee Chief Trade Counsel & Subcommittee on Trade Staff Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways & Means. The discussion focused on the impact of the 2014 midterm election in the U.S. and the changing political dynamics in the EU on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations.  The issues addressed included prospects for Trade Promotion Authority in the U.S. Congress, resolution of Investor State Dispute Settlement, Geographical Indicators differences, and concerns regarding transparency and data protection.  Michael Smart, Vice President at Rock Creek Global Advisors moderated the event.

On December 4, 2014, The European Institute hosted a breakfast discussion with The Honorable Marko Mihkelson, Member of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) & Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee who assessed the rapidly evolving global security environment facing both Europe and the United States.  Mr. Mihkelson emphasized that the current situation in Ukraine and Europe’s Eastern neighborhood presents a challenge not only to Estonia but to all countries that respect international law share common values, and he stressed the importance of updating the European Security Strategy which has not been revised since 2003.

On October 28, 2014, The European Institute, in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland and IDA Ireland hosted a luncheon event with The Honorable Richard Bruton T.D., Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation.  Minister Bruton discussed the policies being implemented to help Ireland continue to recover from the economic crisis and stressed the importance of a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership in order to spur economic growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.  Minister Bruton also elaborated on the tax residency rules in Ireland and the potential impact on business, particularly the IT sector, in Ireland.