The primary goal of the Institute of European Democrats (IED) is to promote an in-depth discussio... more The primary goal of the Institute of European Democrats (IED) is to promote an in-depth discussion on the core aspects of the European integration process. Last year, in an attempt to shed some light on the challenge of the upswing of populist parties in the upcoming European elections and better understand the solutions ahead, the Institute of European Democrats set to launch a research project on "The Risks of growing Populism and the European elections". The aim of the project is to give our contribution to the European-wide debate on populism and to broaden and support the part played by the youngest generation in this debate. It was with this idea in mind that we awarded 15 research fellowships to young researchers. The results of these researches are collected in the publication "Rising Populism and European Elections. Collection of Selected contributions", presented at the IED conference held on the 24th of April 2014 in Bratislava.
Sous la forme de dictionnaire, l’ouvrage multiplie les entrées de diverses thématiques et discipl... more Sous la forme de dictionnaire, l’ouvrage multiplie les entrées de diverses thématiques et disciplines sur l’Europe, laquelle apparaît au total étudiée dans tous ses aspects et tous ses pays. Les notices portent tant sur le droit de l’Union européenne, ses politiques, ses institutions, l’histoire communautaire, que sur les questions d’actualité, la crise de la zone euro ou la problématique des élargissements et de ses frontières. Dans leurs développements, les auteurs privilégient précision, mise à jour et référencement des notions étudiées ainsi que le recul nécessaire à l’analyse. Une grande partie de l’ouvrage est également constituée d’entrées plus historiques élargissant le champ géographique à la grande Europe continentale et ses problématiques propres. Elles couvrent la période du grand XXe siècle (1870 à nos jours) permettant aux lecteurs de disposer d’une base de connaissances historiques suffisantes pour embrasser les racines et les causes des questions les plus contemporaines. Dans cette perspective, une place privilégiée est réservée aux conflits mondiaux et régionaux, la guerre froide, l’évolution des traités européens de sécurité. Enfin, une ouverture a été réservée aux notices entrant dans le champ de la culture générale nécessaire à l’appréhension de la question européenne telle que l’évolution de la pensée européenne contemporaine par ses courants philosophiques mais aussi littéraires grâce au choix de grands auteurs du XXe siècle à nos jours.
Global problems of the contemporary world can not be solved only through an interdisciplinary app... more Global problems of the contemporary world can not be solved only through an interdisciplinary approach centered on human values. Interdisciplinarity involves organizing content, with implications for the whole strategy of curriculum design to achieve a consistent picture of the phenomena and processes studied in various disciplines, leading to an easy contextualisation and application of knowledge in different everyday situations.
Interdisciplinary connections are not univocal in the sense that the flow of information has one direction to a certain activity, communication takes place in both directions, from one activity to another and vice versa. Interdisciplinary approach assumes that any educational discipline is not a closed area, but may establish links between disciplines. Basically, interdisciplinarity seems necessary to overcome the creative boundaries of knowledge, which has artificial boundaries between different areas of it. The argument that calls for interdisciplinarity is that it provides an integrated picture of what is considered separately.
"This volume is an output of the project on Strengthening
and Integrating Academic Networks (SI... more "This volume is an output of the project on Strengthening
and Integrating Academic Networks (SInAN), funded by the
European Union under the "Promotion of Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey: Universities Grant Scheme". Turkey Watch has its origins in the early stages of the SInAN proposal aiming to follow the example of EU-27 Watch5, prepared under the EU-CONSENT project which was coordinated by our partner, Jean Monnet Centre, University of Cologne. With this publication, the Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical University, as the main coordinator of SInAN, intends to question the myths that characterise the terms of the current debate on Turkey's EU integration process and to facilitate better knowledge and understanding of Turkey within the EU and of the EU within Turkey. Although the envisaged content of the volume has changed over time, resulting in views from different EU member states on Turkish candidacy to the EU, the main objectives remained the same. Turkey Watch addresses one general question, which is the following: How has Turkey's candidacy been perceived in EU member states between the years 2006 and 2009?
We asked different experts from the member states to take up the question, and to give qualitative insights by considering the perceptions of some of the main actors in their respective countries: the governments, the opposition parties, the civil society organisations and the media." [Sait AKSIT, Ozgehan SENYUVA, Cigdem USTUN (editors) Turkey Watch: EU Member States' Perceptions on Turkey's Accession to the EU,Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical
University, November 2009, pp. 9-10)
The present paper is a part of a broader European debate concerning the rise and risks of the ref... more The present paper is a part of a broader European debate concerning the rise and risks of the refugees crisis in the midst of a European Union tormented by an economic, social and security crisis. Using open sources I present here a brief overview of the Romanian political landscape and the scars that the debate regarding the refugee crisis left. At the EU level we are currently dealing not only with a massive influx of refugees from war torn countries such as Syria and Iraq but also with an increasing number of economic migrants that tend to be mixed together by an overly passionate public opinion and political class. It is important in my opinion to have this distinct approach in order to try identifying the necessary policies. For the first time after the end of a Second World War, we are assisting to a huge migratory flux in Europe, with persons coming from foreign cultural areas that have triggered a wave of fears and potential conflicts due to difficulties of cultural integration, all on the background of older migrant issues in Western Europe. Taking into account the fact that migration issues seem to be yet ever more present in contemporary European democracies, this phenomenon is likely to draw further scientific attention, and an increased need for nationally localized studies, such this one on Romania.
This paper presents a short synopsis of the development of the European idea in the early 1920. I... more This paper presents a short synopsis of the development of the European idea in the early 1920. In a time of great transformation the Romanian elites are having themselves a series of debates whether to engage in the construction of a national ideal and of nation-building after the creation of Greater Romania or whether to get involved in the European debate regarding the creation of an European construction. It is a time of great intellectual effervescence that will shape the entire period between the two World Wars.
The debate on Structural Funds is highly topical in Romania, being stimulated by the inappropriat... more The debate on Structural Funds is highly topical in Romania, being stimulated by the inappropriate and insufficient degree of accessing the funds, as well as by the problems identified over the last years regarding the appropriate administration of the funds which have already been accessed, both from the perspective of public authorities and of beneficiaries.
From the point of view of public debate, emphasis has often been placed on administrative deficiency, insufficient personnel or inadequacy of the projects submitted, ethical aspects being often overlooked or, at best, treated as marginal topics.
The article was published in the EIR Newsletter, no. 69 – September 2014, pp. 6-7, available online at
The aim of this paper is to show the most important points of view presented by high officials an... more The aim of this paper is to show the most important points of view presented by high officials and representatives of the academic milieu from European countries on the occasion of the EPIN conference regarding the strategic thinking in the EU, held in Bucharest on September 30th, 2011. There were proposed to the audience several topics related to macro-regional strategies such as: Danube Strategy and Baltic Sea Strategy, the Europe 2020 Strategy and some key points on strategic thinking in EU foreign policy. The conference consisted of three sessions in which speakers stressed out the main topics of the day. The first session outlined the main aspects regarding the Baltic Sea Strategy and the Danube Strategy. The Europe 2020 Strategy was the central point of the second session of the conference, and in the last session, the speakers highlighted some important aspects on the strategic thinking in EU Foreign Policy. The series of speeches was completed by a Conclusions session in which the most important results of the debate were brought to the attention. Also, it left open for further discussion the need for the strategic thinking of the EU to become a reality.
The purpose of the current paper is to undergo a synthetic examination of the evolution of the Da... more The purpose of the current paper is to undergo a synthetic examination of the evolution of the Danube issue in inter-war Romania, to realise a synthetic presentation of the Romanian intellectual currents and evolutions, of a history of the plans for a Danubian organisation in the inter-war political and intellectual environment. The paper highlights the preoccupation of the Romanian elites concerning the evolutions on the European scene, by offering solutions and analysing from a scholarly perspective the envisaged propositions. The Romanian conception on the Danube area is characterised by the importance granted to the political aspect – equality of the riparian states, regulation of the regime of navigation, etc. We are dealing with a qualitative evolution that goes from a purely defensive reaction, of denial of the initial plans of Danubian regulation towards a proactive attitude, based upon solving issues and offering plans for organisation.
Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ... more Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ever, with international intergovernmental organizations. International organizations now have a long history behind them, a history often marked by contradictory events. In the last decade the international organizations developed their own public relations department in an attempt to communicate promptly and transmit the general audience their version of reality. Having this in mind we will try to briefly present in the current work the main reasons why we believe that the international organizations, NATO in particular, have started to see themselves as brand and to create a so called “commercial identity” by becoming a brand. By applying the
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
The field of international and European law would never be the same without the enormous contribu... more The field of international and European law would never be the same without the enormous contribution of Professor Alfred Kellermann. In this book, dedicated to his career by his fellow colleagues, we are thus invited to read about the main topics of debate in these areas of law. The specialists as well as the general audience have to chance to learn more about the Project for a Constitution for Europe and what it implied for the European institutions (first part of the book). The second part is all about general principles and individual aspects while the last part is dedicated to the New Member States and the Eastern Europe.
Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ... more Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ever, with international intergovernmental organizations. International organizations now have a long history behind them, a history often marked by contradictory events. In the last decade the international organizations developed their own public relations department in an attempt to communicate promptly and transmit the general audience their version of reality. Having this in mind we will try to briefly present in the current work the main reasons why we believe that the international organizations, NATO in particular, have started to see themselves as brand and to create a so called “commercial identity” by becoming a brand. By applying the
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
The end of the First World War, with its dramatic changes, opens up the way for a fresh thing as ... more The end of the First World War, with its dramatic changes, opens up the way for a fresh thing as regards Europe. From now on we will be dealing with a thinking balancing between two extremes. On one hand we will have the idea of a Confederation, a union of equals, free and democratic states. On the other side there is the vision of a united Europe under a totalitarian regime, a continent whose frontiers are gone due to the brute force of a totalitarian regime. The start of the Second World War will first favor the Nazi totalitarian ideas on the future of Europe. We will have then a united Europe under the German rule, with a dominant master race. On the opposite side the democratic speech on Europe tends to continue the Inter-war ideals. The Romanian thinkers are also influenced by the European ideas. If in the beginning their speech was influenced by the totalitarian influence, later on, as the tide of war changes they will go toward a more democratic version of the European construction. Europe must be united, the states must be equals and every European coordination mechanism must take into consideration the national sovereignty.
abstract:
The religious phenomenon has always generated intense feelings that have often undermi... more abstract: The religious phenomenon has always generated intense feelings that have often undermined the scientific analysis and the academic debate. In an European political space dominated by secularism Radu Carp analyses the present and future of religion within the European framework. Religions and churches are now a part of the European public sphere and their actions influence public opinion. Although the reference to God lack from the EU official documents the influence and lobby of religious entities are powerful. Churches must now reinvent themselves in order to become more adapted to the new conditions.
Keywords: religion, God, European Union, Romania, Christianity, lobby
International Conference,'The State of Democracy in …, Jan 1, 2010
Abstract:
This presentation, written in French, presents the main evolutions taking part during ... more Abstract: This presentation, written in French, presents the main evolutions taking part during WWII regarding the creation of a united Europe, across the continent. Its main point of interest is the presentation of the Romanian point of view with regard the creation of a supranational organization in Europe, a point of view influenced by the continental debate.
Note: Downloadable document is in French.
Keywords: WWII, idea of Europe, Romania, national-socialism, communism, anti-fascist resistence
Abstract:
The present paper intends to examine the evolution of the European idea in inter-war R... more Abstract: The present paper intends to examine the evolution of the European idea in inter-war Romania. On this occasion, I try to have a synthetic presentation of Romanian currents and intellectual evolutions, a history of that idea in inter-war political and intellectual environments. Romanian élites prove to be connected to the evolutions at the European level, offering solutions and professionally commenting the proposals presented.
The Romanian conception on the united Europe remarks itself through the great importance given to the political factor – the European states should be united, equal and have the frontiers guaranteed. We have a qualitative evolution that starts with the idea of regional associations culminating with the idea of a united Europe based upon the proposal of Aristide Briand. By the end of the 1930s and mid-40s, the accent is set upon the idea of a European Economic Community, partially based upon the German ideas of World War II.
Keywords: History of the idea of Europe, Romania, inter-war period, European Union, extremism, political thinking, communism, social-democracy
The Weimar Triangle is soon to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. With a mixed record of releva... more The Weimar Triangle is soon to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. With a mixed record of relevance (due often to the leaders themselves) and a relatively strong level of cooperation as regards regional and local actors, it is in a process of redefinition. Through policies adopted at its February high level summit (EU budget, ESDP etc.) and its prospective integration of Russia it might become a viable and highly influent organization at the European level.
This presentation is based upon and represents an updated version of the Mihai SEBE and Iulia SER... more This presentation is based upon and represents an updated version of the Mihai SEBE and Iulia SERAFIMESCU paper “Romanian Perceptions” published in Sait Aksit, Ozgehan Senyuva, Cigdem Ustun, editors, TURKEY WATCH: EU MEMBER STATES’ PERCEPTIONS ON TURKEY’S ACCESSION TO THE EU, Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 2009. I have presented the changes and the new evolutions that have appeared in Romania since 2009 regarding Turkey accession to the European Union
Keywords: Turkey, Romania, European Union, Enlargement, Black Sea, Economic Crisis, Southern Caucasus
Abstract:
This paper was publicy presented at the International Conference "The State of D... more Abstract:
This paper was publicy presented at the International Conference "The State of Democracy in Europe" organized by the Doctoral School of Political Science of the University of Bucharest, between 13-14 December 2010.
The idea of this paper first appeared in 2008 after an international conference held in Bucharest on the future of NATO. If at first regarded with suspicion the idea of creating a NATO brand became more or less official later that year when NATO hired the executive from the Coca-Cola Company, Michael Stopford, as deputy assistant secretary general for strategic communication services. “We have the green light to think about branding policy for NATO” (Jean-François Bureau, NATO’s assistant secretary general for public diplomacy, 2008).
Keywords: NATO, branding, international organizations, propaganda, terrorism, public relations, communication
The primary goal of the Institute of European Democrats (IED) is to promote an in-depth discussio... more The primary goal of the Institute of European Democrats (IED) is to promote an in-depth discussion on the core aspects of the European integration process. Last year, in an attempt to shed some light on the challenge of the upswing of populist parties in the upcoming European elections and better understand the solutions ahead, the Institute of European Democrats set to launch a research project on "The Risks of growing Populism and the European elections". The aim of the project is to give our contribution to the European-wide debate on populism and to broaden and support the part played by the youngest generation in this debate. It was with this idea in mind that we awarded 15 research fellowships to young researchers. The results of these researches are collected in the publication "Rising Populism and European Elections. Collection of Selected contributions", presented at the IED conference held on the 24th of April 2014 in Bratislava.
Sous la forme de dictionnaire, l’ouvrage multiplie les entrées de diverses thématiques et discipl... more Sous la forme de dictionnaire, l’ouvrage multiplie les entrées de diverses thématiques et disciplines sur l’Europe, laquelle apparaît au total étudiée dans tous ses aspects et tous ses pays. Les notices portent tant sur le droit de l’Union européenne, ses politiques, ses institutions, l’histoire communautaire, que sur les questions d’actualité, la crise de la zone euro ou la problématique des élargissements et de ses frontières. Dans leurs développements, les auteurs privilégient précision, mise à jour et référencement des notions étudiées ainsi que le recul nécessaire à l’analyse. Une grande partie de l’ouvrage est également constituée d’entrées plus historiques élargissant le champ géographique à la grande Europe continentale et ses problématiques propres. Elles couvrent la période du grand XXe siècle (1870 à nos jours) permettant aux lecteurs de disposer d’une base de connaissances historiques suffisantes pour embrasser les racines et les causes des questions les plus contemporaines. Dans cette perspective, une place privilégiée est réservée aux conflits mondiaux et régionaux, la guerre froide, l’évolution des traités européens de sécurité. Enfin, une ouverture a été réservée aux notices entrant dans le champ de la culture générale nécessaire à l’appréhension de la question européenne telle que l’évolution de la pensée européenne contemporaine par ses courants philosophiques mais aussi littéraires grâce au choix de grands auteurs du XXe siècle à nos jours.
Global problems of the contemporary world can not be solved only through an interdisciplinary app... more Global problems of the contemporary world can not be solved only through an interdisciplinary approach centered on human values. Interdisciplinarity involves organizing content, with implications for the whole strategy of curriculum design to achieve a consistent picture of the phenomena and processes studied in various disciplines, leading to an easy contextualisation and application of knowledge in different everyday situations.
Interdisciplinary connections are not univocal in the sense that the flow of information has one direction to a certain activity, communication takes place in both directions, from one activity to another and vice versa. Interdisciplinary approach assumes that any educational discipline is not a closed area, but may establish links between disciplines. Basically, interdisciplinarity seems necessary to overcome the creative boundaries of knowledge, which has artificial boundaries between different areas of it. The argument that calls for interdisciplinarity is that it provides an integrated picture of what is considered separately.
"This volume is an output of the project on Strengthening
and Integrating Academic Networks (SI... more "This volume is an output of the project on Strengthening
and Integrating Academic Networks (SInAN), funded by the
European Union under the "Promotion of Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey: Universities Grant Scheme". Turkey Watch has its origins in the early stages of the SInAN proposal aiming to follow the example of EU-27 Watch5, prepared under the EU-CONSENT project which was coordinated by our partner, Jean Monnet Centre, University of Cologne. With this publication, the Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical University, as the main coordinator of SInAN, intends to question the myths that characterise the terms of the current debate on Turkey's EU integration process and to facilitate better knowledge and understanding of Turkey within the EU and of the EU within Turkey. Although the envisaged content of the volume has changed over time, resulting in views from different EU member states on Turkish candidacy to the EU, the main objectives remained the same. Turkey Watch addresses one general question, which is the following: How has Turkey's candidacy been perceived in EU member states between the years 2006 and 2009?
We asked different experts from the member states to take up the question, and to give qualitative insights by considering the perceptions of some of the main actors in their respective countries: the governments, the opposition parties, the civil society organisations and the media." [Sait AKSIT, Ozgehan SENYUVA, Cigdem USTUN (editors) Turkey Watch: EU Member States' Perceptions on Turkey's Accession to the EU,Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical
University, November 2009, pp. 9-10)
The present paper is a part of a broader European debate concerning the rise and risks of the ref... more The present paper is a part of a broader European debate concerning the rise and risks of the refugees crisis in the midst of a European Union tormented by an economic, social and security crisis. Using open sources I present here a brief overview of the Romanian political landscape and the scars that the debate regarding the refugee crisis left. At the EU level we are currently dealing not only with a massive influx of refugees from war torn countries such as Syria and Iraq but also with an increasing number of economic migrants that tend to be mixed together by an overly passionate public opinion and political class. It is important in my opinion to have this distinct approach in order to try identifying the necessary policies. For the first time after the end of a Second World War, we are assisting to a huge migratory flux in Europe, with persons coming from foreign cultural areas that have triggered a wave of fears and potential conflicts due to difficulties of cultural integration, all on the background of older migrant issues in Western Europe. Taking into account the fact that migration issues seem to be yet ever more present in contemporary European democracies, this phenomenon is likely to draw further scientific attention, and an increased need for nationally localized studies, such this one on Romania.
This paper presents a short synopsis of the development of the European idea in the early 1920. I... more This paper presents a short synopsis of the development of the European idea in the early 1920. In a time of great transformation the Romanian elites are having themselves a series of debates whether to engage in the construction of a national ideal and of nation-building after the creation of Greater Romania or whether to get involved in the European debate regarding the creation of an European construction. It is a time of great intellectual effervescence that will shape the entire period between the two World Wars.
The debate on Structural Funds is highly topical in Romania, being stimulated by the inappropriat... more The debate on Structural Funds is highly topical in Romania, being stimulated by the inappropriate and insufficient degree of accessing the funds, as well as by the problems identified over the last years regarding the appropriate administration of the funds which have already been accessed, both from the perspective of public authorities and of beneficiaries.
From the point of view of public debate, emphasis has often been placed on administrative deficiency, insufficient personnel or inadequacy of the projects submitted, ethical aspects being often overlooked or, at best, treated as marginal topics.
The article was published in the EIR Newsletter, no. 69 – September 2014, pp. 6-7, available online at
The aim of this paper is to show the most important points of view presented by high officials an... more The aim of this paper is to show the most important points of view presented by high officials and representatives of the academic milieu from European countries on the occasion of the EPIN conference regarding the strategic thinking in the EU, held in Bucharest on September 30th, 2011. There were proposed to the audience several topics related to macro-regional strategies such as: Danube Strategy and Baltic Sea Strategy, the Europe 2020 Strategy and some key points on strategic thinking in EU foreign policy. The conference consisted of three sessions in which speakers stressed out the main topics of the day. The first session outlined the main aspects regarding the Baltic Sea Strategy and the Danube Strategy. The Europe 2020 Strategy was the central point of the second session of the conference, and in the last session, the speakers highlighted some important aspects on the strategic thinking in EU Foreign Policy. The series of speeches was completed by a Conclusions session in which the most important results of the debate were brought to the attention. Also, it left open for further discussion the need for the strategic thinking of the EU to become a reality.
The purpose of the current paper is to undergo a synthetic examination of the evolution of the Da... more The purpose of the current paper is to undergo a synthetic examination of the evolution of the Danube issue in inter-war Romania, to realise a synthetic presentation of the Romanian intellectual currents and evolutions, of a history of the plans for a Danubian organisation in the inter-war political and intellectual environment. The paper highlights the preoccupation of the Romanian elites concerning the evolutions on the European scene, by offering solutions and analysing from a scholarly perspective the envisaged propositions. The Romanian conception on the Danube area is characterised by the importance granted to the political aspect – equality of the riparian states, regulation of the regime of navigation, etc. We are dealing with a qualitative evolution that goes from a purely defensive reaction, of denial of the initial plans of Danubian regulation towards a proactive attitude, based upon solving issues and offering plans for organisation.
Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ... more Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ever, with international intergovernmental organizations. International organizations now have a long history behind them, a history often marked by contradictory events. In the last decade the international organizations developed their own public relations department in an attempt to communicate promptly and transmit the general audience their version of reality. Having this in mind we will try to briefly present in the current work the main reasons why we believe that the international organizations, NATO in particular, have started to see themselves as brand and to create a so called “commercial identity” by becoming a brand. By applying the
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
The field of international and European law would never be the same without the enormous contribu... more The field of international and European law would never be the same without the enormous contribution of Professor Alfred Kellermann. In this book, dedicated to his career by his fellow colleagues, we are thus invited to read about the main topics of debate in these areas of law. The specialists as well as the general audience have to chance to learn more about the Project for a Constitution for Europe and what it implied for the European institutions (first part of the book). The second part is all about general principles and individual aspects while the last part is dedicated to the New Member States and the Eastern Europe.
Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ... more Branding products and companies has always been associated with private enterprises and less, if ever, with international intergovernmental organizations. International organizations now have a long history behind them, a history often marked by contradictory events. In the last decade the international organizations developed their own public relations department in an attempt to communicate promptly and transmit the general audience their version of reality. Having this in mind we will try to briefly present in the current work the main reasons why we believe that the international organizations, NATO in particular, have started to see themselves as brand and to create a so called “commercial identity” by becoming a brand. By applying the
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
The end of the First World War, with its dramatic changes, opens up the way for a fresh thing as ... more The end of the First World War, with its dramatic changes, opens up the way for a fresh thing as regards Europe. From now on we will be dealing with a thinking balancing between two extremes. On one hand we will have the idea of a Confederation, a union of equals, free and democratic states. On the other side there is the vision of a united Europe under a totalitarian regime, a continent whose frontiers are gone due to the brute force of a totalitarian regime. The start of the Second World War will first favor the Nazi totalitarian ideas on the future of Europe. We will have then a united Europe under the German rule, with a dominant master race. On the opposite side the democratic speech on Europe tends to continue the Inter-war ideals. The Romanian thinkers are also influenced by the European ideas. If in the beginning their speech was influenced by the totalitarian influence, later on, as the tide of war changes they will go toward a more democratic version of the European construction. Europe must be united, the states must be equals and every European coordination mechanism must take into consideration the national sovereignty.
abstract:
The religious phenomenon has always generated intense feelings that have often undermi... more abstract: The religious phenomenon has always generated intense feelings that have often undermined the scientific analysis and the academic debate. In an European political space dominated by secularism Radu Carp analyses the present and future of religion within the European framework. Religions and churches are now a part of the European public sphere and their actions influence public opinion. Although the reference to God lack from the EU official documents the influence and lobby of religious entities are powerful. Churches must now reinvent themselves in order to become more adapted to the new conditions.
Keywords: religion, God, European Union, Romania, Christianity, lobby
International Conference,'The State of Democracy in …, Jan 1, 2010
Abstract:
This presentation, written in French, presents the main evolutions taking part during ... more Abstract: This presentation, written in French, presents the main evolutions taking part during WWII regarding the creation of a united Europe, across the continent. Its main point of interest is the presentation of the Romanian point of view with regard the creation of a supranational organization in Europe, a point of view influenced by the continental debate.
Note: Downloadable document is in French.
Keywords: WWII, idea of Europe, Romania, national-socialism, communism, anti-fascist resistence
Abstract:
The present paper intends to examine the evolution of the European idea in inter-war R... more Abstract: The present paper intends to examine the evolution of the European idea in inter-war Romania. On this occasion, I try to have a synthetic presentation of Romanian currents and intellectual evolutions, a history of that idea in inter-war political and intellectual environments. Romanian élites prove to be connected to the evolutions at the European level, offering solutions and professionally commenting the proposals presented.
The Romanian conception on the united Europe remarks itself through the great importance given to the political factor – the European states should be united, equal and have the frontiers guaranteed. We have a qualitative evolution that starts with the idea of regional associations culminating with the idea of a united Europe based upon the proposal of Aristide Briand. By the end of the 1930s and mid-40s, the accent is set upon the idea of a European Economic Community, partially based upon the German ideas of World War II.
Keywords: History of the idea of Europe, Romania, inter-war period, European Union, extremism, political thinking, communism, social-democracy
The Weimar Triangle is soon to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. With a mixed record of releva... more The Weimar Triangle is soon to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. With a mixed record of relevance (due often to the leaders themselves) and a relatively strong level of cooperation as regards regional and local actors, it is in a process of redefinition. Through policies adopted at its February high level summit (EU budget, ESDP etc.) and its prospective integration of Russia it might become a viable and highly influent organization at the European level.
This presentation is based upon and represents an updated version of the Mihai SEBE and Iulia SER... more This presentation is based upon and represents an updated version of the Mihai SEBE and Iulia SERAFIMESCU paper “Romanian Perceptions” published in Sait Aksit, Ozgehan Senyuva, Cigdem Ustun, editors, TURKEY WATCH: EU MEMBER STATES’ PERCEPTIONS ON TURKEY’S ACCESSION TO THE EU, Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 2009. I have presented the changes and the new evolutions that have appeared in Romania since 2009 regarding Turkey accession to the European Union
Keywords: Turkey, Romania, European Union, Enlargement, Black Sea, Economic Crisis, Southern Caucasus
Abstract:
This paper was publicy presented at the International Conference "The State of D... more Abstract:
This paper was publicy presented at the International Conference "The State of Democracy in Europe" organized by the Doctoral School of Political Science of the University of Bucharest, between 13-14 December 2010.
The idea of this paper first appeared in 2008 after an international conference held in Bucharest on the future of NATO. If at first regarded with suspicion the idea of creating a NATO brand became more or less official later that year when NATO hired the executive from the Coca-Cola Company, Michael Stopford, as deputy assistant secretary general for strategic communication services. “We have the green light to think about branding policy for NATO” (Jean-François Bureau, NATO’s assistant secretary general for public diplomacy, 2008).
Keywords: NATO, branding, international organizations, propaganda, terrorism, public relations, communication
Welcome to the ninth issue of EU-27 Watch.
Due to the new treaty provisions of the Lisbon Treaty... more Welcome to the ninth issue of EU-27 Watch.
Due to the new treaty provisions of the Lisbon Treaty and the economic crises the enlarged EU of 27 member states is on the search for a new modus operandi while also continuing membership talks with candidate countries. The EU-27 Watch project is mapping out discourses on these and more issues in European policies all over Europe. Research institutes from all 27 member states and the four candidate countries give overviews on the discourses in their respective countries.
Topics discussed in EU-27 Watch, No. 9 / March 2010
· Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty
· Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
· European economic policy and the financial and economic crisis
· Climate and energy policy
· Current issues and discourses in your country
The reports focus on a reporting period from December 2009 until May 2010. This survey was conducted on the basis of a questionnaire that has been elaborated in March and April 2010. Most of the 31 reports were delivered in May 2010.
The EU-27 Watch No. 9 receives significant funding from the Otto Wolff-Foundation, Cologne, in the framework of the “Dialog Europa der Otto Wolff-Stiftung”, and financial support from the European Commission. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
In the second half of 2008 the European Union has been faced by many crises: the ‘ratification’ c... more In the second half of 2008 the European Union has been faced by many crises: the ‘ratification’ crisis, the ‘Georgian’ crisis, and last but by no means least, the financial and economic crisis. These crises touch the institutional architecture and the future shape of the EU, its neighbourhood and external relations, and the financial and economic policies within the EU. During these ‘hard’ times, one of the founding members of the EU was holding the presidency of the EU – and some say luckily so.
In this issue of EU-27 Watch all those issues are dealt with and a prospect for 2009 is given, a year that might well be a year of opportunities but also of uncertainties:
- the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’,
- the priorities for transatlantic relations after President Bush,
- the EU response to the financial crisis and the challenges of global governance,
- the evaluation of the French Presidency and expectations for the Czech Presidency,
- prospects for European Neighbourhood Policy and enlargement after ‘Georgia’,
- other current national issues.
This survey was conducted on the basis of a questionnaire that has been elaborated in November 2008 by all participating institutes. Most of the 29 reports were delivered in February 2009. This issue and all previous issues of EU-27 Watch (formerly EU-
25/27 Watch) are available online.
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Books by Mihai Sebe
Interdisciplinary connections are not univocal in the sense that the flow of information has one direction to a certain activity, communication takes place in both directions, from one activity to another and vice versa. Interdisciplinary approach assumes that any educational discipline is not a closed area, but may establish links between disciplines. Basically, interdisciplinarity seems necessary to overcome the creative boundaries of knowledge, which has artificial boundaries between different areas of it. The argument that calls for interdisciplinarity is that it provides an integrated picture of what is considered separately.
and Integrating Academic Networks (SInAN), funded by the
European Union under the "Promotion of Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey: Universities Grant Scheme". Turkey Watch has its origins in the early stages of the SInAN proposal aiming to follow the example of EU-27 Watch5, prepared under the EU-CONSENT project which was coordinated by our partner, Jean Monnet Centre, University of Cologne. With this publication, the Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical University, as the main coordinator of SInAN, intends to question the myths that characterise the terms of the current debate on Turkey's EU integration process and to facilitate better knowledge and understanding of Turkey within the EU and of the EU within Turkey. Although the envisaged content of the volume has changed over time, resulting in views from different EU member states on Turkish candidacy to the EU, the main objectives remained the same. Turkey Watch addresses one general question, which is the following: How has Turkey's candidacy been perceived in EU member states between the years 2006 and 2009?
We asked different experts from the member states to take up the question, and to give qualitative insights by considering the perceptions of some of the main actors in their respective countries: the governments, the opposition parties, the civil society organisations and the media." [Sait AKSIT, Ozgehan SENYUVA, Cigdem USTUN (editors) Turkey Watch: EU Member States' Perceptions on Turkey's Accession to the EU,Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical
University, November 2009, pp. 9-10)
Papers by Mihai Sebe
At the EU level we are currently dealing not only with a massive influx of refugees from war torn countries such as Syria and Iraq but also with an increasing number of economic migrants that tend to be mixed together by an overly passionate public opinion and political class. It is important in my opinion to have this distinct approach in order to try identifying the necessary policies.
For the first time after the end of a Second World War, we are assisting to a huge migratory flux in Europe, with persons coming from foreign cultural areas that have triggered a wave of fears and potential conflicts due to difficulties of cultural integration, all on the background of older migrant issues in Western Europe.
Taking into account the fact that migration issues seem to be yet ever more present in contemporary European democracies, this phenomenon is likely to draw further scientific attention, and an increased need for nationally localized studies, such this one on Romania.
From the point of view of public debate, emphasis has often been placed on administrative deficiency, insufficient personnel or inadequacy of the projects submitted, ethical aspects being often overlooked or, at best, treated as marginal topics.
The article was published in the EIR Newsletter, no. 69 – September 2014, pp. 6-7, available online at
http://www.ier.ro/sites/default/files/pdf/newsletter_September_2014.pdf
The Romanian conception on the Danube area is characterised by the importance granted to the political aspect – equality of the riparian states, regulation of the regime of navigation, etc. We are dealing with a qualitative evolution that goes from a purely defensive reaction, of denial of the initial plans of Danubian regulation towards a proactive attitude, based upon solving issues and offering plans for organisation.
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
The religious phenomenon has always generated intense feelings that have often undermined the scientific analysis and the academic debate. In an European political space dominated by secularism Radu Carp analyses the present and future of religion within the European framework. Religions and churches are now a part of the European public sphere and their actions influence public opinion. Although the reference to God lack from the EU official documents the influence and lobby of religious entities are powerful. Churches must now reinvent themselves in order to become more adapted to the new conditions.
Keywords: religion, God, European Union, Romania, Christianity, lobby
This presentation, written in French, presents the main evolutions taking part during WWII regarding the creation of a united Europe, across the continent. Its main point of interest is the presentation of the Romanian point of view with regard the creation of a supranational organization in Europe, a point of view influenced by the continental debate.
Note: Downloadable document is in French.
Keywords: WWII, idea of Europe, Romania, national-socialism, communism, anti-fascist resistence
The present paper intends to examine the evolution of the European idea in inter-war Romania. On this occasion, I try to have a synthetic presentation of Romanian currents and intellectual evolutions, a history of that idea in inter-war political and intellectual environments. Romanian élites prove to be connected to the evolutions at the European level, offering solutions and professionally commenting the proposals presented.
The Romanian conception on the united Europe remarks itself through the great importance given to the political factor – the European states should be united, equal and have the frontiers guaranteed. We have a qualitative evolution that starts with the idea of regional associations culminating with the idea of a united Europe based upon the proposal of Aristide Briand. By the end of the 1930s and mid-40s, the accent is set upon the idea of a European Economic Community, partially based upon the German ideas of World War II.
Keywords: History of the idea of Europe, Romania, inter-war period, European Union, extremism, political thinking, communism, social-democracy
JEL Classifications: B30, Z00
Keywords: Turkey, Romania, European Union, Enlargement, Black Sea, Economic Crisis, Southern Caucasus
This paper was publicy presented at the International Conference "The State of Democracy in Europe" organized by the Doctoral School of Political Science of the University of Bucharest, between 13-14 December 2010.
The idea of this paper first appeared in 2008 after an international conference held in Bucharest on the future of NATO. If at first regarded with suspicion the idea of creating a NATO brand became more or less official later that year when NATO hired the executive from the Coca-Cola Company, Michael Stopford, as deputy assistant secretary general for strategic communication services. “We have the green light to think about branding policy for NATO” (Jean-François Bureau, NATO’s assistant secretary general for public diplomacy, 2008).
Keywords: NATO, branding, international organizations, propaganda, terrorism, public relations, communication
JEL Classifications: Z00
Interdisciplinary connections are not univocal in the sense that the flow of information has one direction to a certain activity, communication takes place in both directions, from one activity to another and vice versa. Interdisciplinary approach assumes that any educational discipline is not a closed area, but may establish links between disciplines. Basically, interdisciplinarity seems necessary to overcome the creative boundaries of knowledge, which has artificial boundaries between different areas of it. The argument that calls for interdisciplinarity is that it provides an integrated picture of what is considered separately.
and Integrating Academic Networks (SInAN), funded by the
European Union under the "Promotion of Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey: Universities Grant Scheme". Turkey Watch has its origins in the early stages of the SInAN proposal aiming to follow the example of EU-27 Watch5, prepared under the EU-CONSENT project which was coordinated by our partner, Jean Monnet Centre, University of Cologne. With this publication, the Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical University, as the main coordinator of SInAN, intends to question the myths that characterise the terms of the current debate on Turkey's EU integration process and to facilitate better knowledge and understanding of Turkey within the EU and of the EU within Turkey. Although the envisaged content of the volume has changed over time, resulting in views from different EU member states on Turkish candidacy to the EU, the main objectives remained the same. Turkey Watch addresses one general question, which is the following: How has Turkey's candidacy been perceived in EU member states between the years 2006 and 2009?
We asked different experts from the member states to take up the question, and to give qualitative insights by considering the perceptions of some of the main actors in their respective countries: the governments, the opposition parties, the civil society organisations and the media." [Sait AKSIT, Ozgehan SENYUVA, Cigdem USTUN (editors) Turkey Watch: EU Member States' Perceptions on Turkey's Accession to the EU,Center for European Studies, Middle East Technical
University, November 2009, pp. 9-10)
At the EU level we are currently dealing not only with a massive influx of refugees from war torn countries such as Syria and Iraq but also with an increasing number of economic migrants that tend to be mixed together by an overly passionate public opinion and political class. It is important in my opinion to have this distinct approach in order to try identifying the necessary policies.
For the first time after the end of a Second World War, we are assisting to a huge migratory flux in Europe, with persons coming from foreign cultural areas that have triggered a wave of fears and potential conflicts due to difficulties of cultural integration, all on the background of older migrant issues in Western Europe.
Taking into account the fact that migration issues seem to be yet ever more present in contemporary European democracies, this phenomenon is likely to draw further scientific attention, and an increased need for nationally localized studies, such this one on Romania.
From the point of view of public debate, emphasis has often been placed on administrative deficiency, insufficient personnel or inadequacy of the projects submitted, ethical aspects being often overlooked or, at best, treated as marginal topics.
The article was published in the EIR Newsletter, no. 69 – September 2014, pp. 6-7, available online at
http://www.ier.ro/sites/default/files/pdf/newsletter_September_2014.pdf
The Romanian conception on the Danube area is characterised by the importance granted to the political aspect – equality of the riparian states, regulation of the regime of navigation, etc. We are dealing with a qualitative evolution that goes from a purely defensive reaction, of denial of the initial plans of Danubian regulation towards a proactive attitude, based upon solving issues and offering plans for organisation.
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
conceptual and analytical framework used in analyzing the marketing strategies of the private companies we will try to see whether NATO is about to become a brand. Our starting point will be a 2008 statement of François Bureau, deputy general secretary responsible with NATO’s public diplomacy: “We have the green light to think about a branding policy for NATO”. Nowadays global society, perceptions tend to become more important than reality itself, and thus positive perceptions tend to become crucial. NATO has suffer an image decline in the last decade, therefore some new communication measures tend to impose themselves.
The distinction between soft power and propaganda must be carefully analyzed when we speak about branding NATO. Thus we hope to bring some necessary clarifications in the area of NATO branding. Is there a brand? Is a brand going to be constructed? How does it differ from a commercial society? Does NATO need its own TV channel? Raising questions and offering a new perspective is, in the end, our primary goal, as a debate on this subject is a must that offers a new perspective in the area of theory of international organizations.
The religious phenomenon has always generated intense feelings that have often undermined the scientific analysis and the academic debate. In an European political space dominated by secularism Radu Carp analyses the present and future of religion within the European framework. Religions and churches are now a part of the European public sphere and their actions influence public opinion. Although the reference to God lack from the EU official documents the influence and lobby of religious entities are powerful. Churches must now reinvent themselves in order to become more adapted to the new conditions.
Keywords: religion, God, European Union, Romania, Christianity, lobby
This presentation, written in French, presents the main evolutions taking part during WWII regarding the creation of a united Europe, across the continent. Its main point of interest is the presentation of the Romanian point of view with regard the creation of a supranational organization in Europe, a point of view influenced by the continental debate.
Note: Downloadable document is in French.
Keywords: WWII, idea of Europe, Romania, national-socialism, communism, anti-fascist resistence
The present paper intends to examine the evolution of the European idea in inter-war Romania. On this occasion, I try to have a synthetic presentation of Romanian currents and intellectual evolutions, a history of that idea in inter-war political and intellectual environments. Romanian élites prove to be connected to the evolutions at the European level, offering solutions and professionally commenting the proposals presented.
The Romanian conception on the united Europe remarks itself through the great importance given to the political factor – the European states should be united, equal and have the frontiers guaranteed. We have a qualitative evolution that starts with the idea of regional associations culminating with the idea of a united Europe based upon the proposal of Aristide Briand. By the end of the 1930s and mid-40s, the accent is set upon the idea of a European Economic Community, partially based upon the German ideas of World War II.
Keywords: History of the idea of Europe, Romania, inter-war period, European Union, extremism, political thinking, communism, social-democracy
JEL Classifications: B30, Z00
Keywords: Turkey, Romania, European Union, Enlargement, Black Sea, Economic Crisis, Southern Caucasus
This paper was publicy presented at the International Conference "The State of Democracy in Europe" organized by the Doctoral School of Political Science of the University of Bucharest, between 13-14 December 2010.
The idea of this paper first appeared in 2008 after an international conference held in Bucharest on the future of NATO. If at first regarded with suspicion the idea of creating a NATO brand became more or less official later that year when NATO hired the executive from the Coca-Cola Company, Michael Stopford, as deputy assistant secretary general for strategic communication services. “We have the green light to think about branding policy for NATO” (Jean-François Bureau, NATO’s assistant secretary general for public diplomacy, 2008).
Keywords: NATO, branding, international organizations, propaganda, terrorism, public relations, communication
JEL Classifications: Z00
Due to the new treaty provisions of the Lisbon Treaty and the economic crises the enlarged EU of 27 member states is on the search for a new modus operandi while also continuing membership talks with candidate countries. The EU-27 Watch project is mapping out discourses on these and more issues in European policies all over Europe. Research institutes from all 27 member states and the four candidate countries give overviews on the discourses in their respective countries.
Topics discussed in EU-27 Watch, No. 9 / March 2010
· Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty
· Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
· European economic policy and the financial and economic crisis
· Climate and energy policy
· Current issues and discourses in your country
The reports focus on a reporting period from December 2009 until May 2010. This survey was conducted on the basis of a questionnaire that has been elaborated in March and April 2010. Most of the 31 reports were delivered in May 2010.
The EU-27 Watch No. 9 receives significant funding from the Otto Wolff-Foundation, Cologne, in the framework of the “Dialog Europa der Otto Wolff-Stiftung”, and financial support from the European Commission. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
In this issue of EU-27 Watch all those issues are dealt with and a prospect for 2009 is given, a year that might well be a year of opportunities but also of uncertainties:
- the future of the EU after the Irish ‘No’,
- the priorities for transatlantic relations after President Bush,
- the EU response to the financial crisis and the challenges of global governance,
- the evaluation of the French Presidency and expectations for the Czech Presidency,
- prospects for European Neighbourhood Policy and enlargement after ‘Georgia’,
- other current national issues.
This survey was conducted on the basis of a questionnaire that has been elaborated in November 2008 by all participating institutes. Most of the 29 reports were delivered in February 2009. This issue and all previous issues of EU-27 Watch (formerly EU-
25/27 Watch) are available online.
Keywords: Romania, Irish Referendum, Lisbon Treaty, transatlantic relations, French Presidency, Georgia, parliamentary elections