The seminar's main objective was to analyze the new developments in Euro-Atlantic relations in view of the changing nature of the European Union, the US, and the Trans-Atlantic institutions. The experts sought to come up with a plausible description of the current political processes with regard to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), and NATO, as well as forsee some possible policy projections for the coming years. Furthermore, the seminar provided an important forum for discussion on topics which rarely generate a sustained dialog between representatives on both sides of the Atlantic, such as European and American views on the nature and institutions of global governance, for example the UN and the G8. Finally, the seminar offered an opportunity for discussion of important topics of current politics, such as the US electoral campaign and the on-going Intergovernmental Conference of the European Union.

The seminar was organized by Radoslava Stefanova on the IAI side and Roberto Menotti on the CeSPI side with the scientific consultation of Stefano Silvestri and Ettore Greco from the IAI.

Draft Agenda

Friday, 7 July

14:00

Opening address
Gianni Bonvicini, IAI, Rome
Introduction of the seminar in the framework of the IAI-CeSPI Transatlantic Program
Ettore Greco, IAI, Rome

14:15

Session I
The US as a Global Power and the Problems of its Coalition Building Policy

Chair: Gianni Bonvicini, IAI, Rome
Main speaker: Jeff Gedmin, The New Atlantic Initiative, Washington D.C.
Respondents:
Fred van Staden, the Netherlands Institute of International Relations "Clingendael"
Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome

16:00

Coffee break

16:30

Session II
The Evolving Role of the Presidency and the Congress in Shaping the US Global Leadership

Chair: Marta Dassù, CeSPI, Rome
Main speaker: David P. Calleo, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C.
Respondents: Stefan Fröhlich, Center for European Integration, Bonn
Dieter Dettke, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Washington

18:30

Session ends

19:30

Reception at the US Embassy

Saturday, 8 July

9:00

Session III
Shortcomings and Potential of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and Its Impact on Transatlantic Relations

Chair: Radoslava Stefanova, IAI, Rome
Main speaker: Jan Zielonka, European University Institute, Florence
Respondents:
Hanna Ojanen, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Helsinki
Alessandro Politi, Ministry of Defense, Rome
Julian Lindley-French, WEU ISS. Paris

11:00

Coffee break

11:30

Session IV
The Bodies and Instruments of EU's External Action: A Provisional Assessment

Chair: Stefano Silvestri, IAI, Rome
Main speaker: Anne Deighton, Oxford University, Oxford
Respondents:
Hall Gardner, Department of International Affairs, The American University of Paris
Mathias Jopp, Institute for Europan Politics, Bonn

13:30

Lunch

15:00

Session V
Strengthening the US-EU Link: Towards a New Pact?

Chair: Cesare Merlini, IAI, Rome
Main speaker: John Ikenberry, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
Respondent:
Yves Boyer, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, Paris
Karsten Voigt, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Berlin

17:00

Coffee break

17:30

Session VI
The Transatlantic Link and the Role of the UN and the G8

Chair: Roberto Menotti, CeSPI, Rome
Main speaker: Dana Allin, Survival, London
Respondent:
Roberto Toscano, Policy Planning Unit, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Franco Venturini, Corriere della Sera, Rome

19:30

Seminar ends