The Future of Europe

An enjoyable - and thought provoking conference - was held yesterday by Chatham House. The title was "The EU's prospects 20 years after the Fall of Communism". There were four sessions - after a keynote address by Maria Asenius (State Secretary to Minister for EU Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom [recently nominated for European Commissioner by Sweden] ) -

1. EU National Economies: Lessons from the past 20 years and models for the future
2. The Future of the EU Single Market
3. Domestic Security: A new frontier for European Integration
4. Can Europe Hope to be a world leader?

There were some first class presentations - and lots of food for thought. For me four main themes stood out

1. The need to establish a European VISION for its own future. Europe needs to move beyond 'navel-gazing' and set out the unique and positive role it wishes to play in the emerging multipolar world. To sum up a number of contributions - we now have the institutions in place - it's time to think about the use of European power in the world - and to project a self confident idea of European values and power. One speaker said that we must work with the USA not as a follower, but as a player in our own right.
2. The need to harness the WILL to "punch at or above our own weight". Europe is an economic superpower - with a large population; great wealth; and a huge single market - yet politically it remains in the Second Division.
3. DELIVERY must become a reality, instead of too much empty rhetoric - and unfulfilled promises.
4. There needs to be more ENGAGEMENT with European citizens. That will only happen if a vision can be articulated; the will to take a place in the first rank of the international community is evident - and there is delivery upon the promise.

Your observations would be appreciated. Is the European Union capable of achieving the above? Should it be aiming higher? What should our relationship with the United States be based upon?

Either comment on this post on 'blogger' or email me privately here

Europe and America

This evening I will be in Wellingborough talking about "The EU and the US - a new future". My talk will consider the future of the transatlantic relationship. I'll be arguing that while there are many differences, sometimes even tensions, across the Atlantic - we have important shared values and Interests. Recent days have underlined how economically close we are, whilst Russia's invasion of Georgia; and the worldwide fight against violent terrorism underline the need to co-operate.

With major US elections just a month and a day away, there are opportunities to rebuild the relationship. On the other hand the world economic crisis will bring challenges - and the temptation of 'protectionism'.

I'm sure there will be great interest in the outcome of the US Presidential race - and its implications for transatlantic relationships. This morning I am travelling to London to hear Professor Paul Green, the Director of the Institute for Politics, Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL) http://www2.roosevelt.edu/dir/profile.asp?jump=688 speak about "The who, the what and the why of the 2008 US Presidential Election" at Chatham House.

And as soon as I get a chance, I'll be watching videos of last night's Vice Presidential debate. Sadly I'll miss More 4's showing of "Recount". the film about the aftermath of the 2000 Election. (9pm).

The Burning of Washington

During my recent mini-holiday, I read Anthony S Pitch's "The Burning of Washington: The British Invasion of 1814". Today is the 194th anniversary of the attack on the city of Washington and the burning of the Capitol Building and the White House. Pitch's book is a good read, giving a full account of the events preceding and following that fateful night.

Britain and the United States had been at war since 1812 - and some have referred to it as the second war of independence. A brief outline of the two and a half year war can be found at http://www.usahistory.com/wars/1812.htm

The attack on the new capital was a retaliation for the attack by American forces on York (now Toronto) in Canada on April 27, 1813. The Americans attacked with a fleet of fourteen ships via the York Harbour. The Parliament Building was looted, and then burned down.

After Washington was attacked British forces moved on to Baltimore. An observer of the attack launched upon Fort McHenry (a fort which was vital to Baltimore's defence) wrote a poem about the failure of the sustained bombardment on the fort - "The Star Spangled Banner" now the American national anthem.