Workshop - European Ideas Network (EIN)

The European Ideas Network - EIN in partnership with the Foundation for Political Innovation and the Robert Schuman Foundation organised a conference with regard to competitiveness and trans-Atlantic relations on 5th March. Initially work focussed on the impediments that continue in Europe in terms of taxation and social issues which ultimately slow the competitiveness of some Member States, notably with the view of the possible rise of new international players as a result of globalisation. In the area of trans-Atlantic relations former French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur presented his project "Western Union between Europe and the USA". Simon Serfaty (Director for European Studies at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington also presented his view of trans-Atlantic relations which will change short-term by 2010 irrespective of the change in the American administration in the settlement of international problems that already exist or which might occur in the near future (Middle-East, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan ...)