The Greek Presidency's website hosts an international dialogue on issues relating to the future of the European Union and/or of current interest.
Prominent figures on the European economic, political and academic scene express in short articles their opinions and proposals on the development of the EU and its policies.

 
AGENDA

A. Economic governance in the enlarged EU: Growth, stability and reform

15th February:
Tax reforms and European and international coordination of taxation: The main issues (Mr Frits Bolkestein, EU Commissioner)
21st February:
Effective coordination of economic policies and the Stability Pact: Prerequisites for a mutual relationship. (Prof. Loukas Τsoukalis, University of Athens, President, Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy- ELIAMEP )
27th February:
Competitiveness and the liberalisation of financial markets: What role for the EU? (Prof. Richard Portes, London Business School)
5th March:
Economic cohesion and the advisability of revising the functions of the Community budget (Prof Iain Begg, London School of Economics)

B. Employment, social cohesion and quality of life: The modernisation of the European economic and social model

11th March:
The target of full employment and the institutional reform of the European labour markets (Mrs Anna Diamantopoulou, EU Commissioner)
17th March:
A Model for Pension Reform in 21st Century Europe (Prof. Gösta Esping- Andersen, Universitat Pompeu Fabra)
23rd March:
The fight against poverty and the promotion of social inclusion: The response of the EU and the Member States (Sir Tony Atkinson, The Warden, Nuffield College, Oxford University)
29th March:
The contribution of businesses to sustainable development (Mr Philippe de Buck, General Secretary, UNICE)
4th April:
Food safety, environmental protection and the reform of the CAP: A new agricultural model for Europe? (Prof. Allan Buckwell, Chief Economist, Country Land and Business Association)

C. Principles and orientations of European joint action in the area of migration policy

10th April:
Europe – a migrant host centre? A long-term consideration of push and pull factors (Prof. Doctor Klaus F. Zimmermann, President,  German Institute for Economic Research- DIW)
16th April:
Elements of a European policy to tackle illegal immigration (Dr. Demetrios Papademetriou, Co- Director, Migration Policy Institute)
22nd April:
The components of an asylum and migration policy which is fair for both European citizens and potential incomers (Prof Stephen Castles, Director, Refugee Studies Centre, Oxford University) * 
28th April:
Economic and social integration of immigrants and the action of the EU (Mr Emilio Gabaglio, General Secretary, ETUC)

D. The EU in the system of international relations: Playing a pro-active role

4th May:
International trade, external aid and sustainable development: The European approach (Mr Pascal Lamy, EU Commissioner)
10th May:
The thematic map of regional cooperation in the post-enlargement EU and the necessary instruments for its promotion (Dr Erhard Busek, Special co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South- Eastern Europe)
16th May:
EU-US relations and the world: Understanding the differences, delineating the area of cooperation and shaping a distinct European stance (Mr Quentin Peel, journalist, Financial Times) *
22nd May:
European Security and Defence Policy: Military, political and institutional aspects for clarification (Prof. William Wallace, London School of Economics, Member of the House of Lords) *
28th May:
Superpower, or, superstate? Preconditions and orientations of the EU’s international role (Prof. Panayotis Ιoakimidis, University of Athens, alternate representative of the Greek Government to the Convention )

E. Towards a European civil society: Participation, legitimacy and citizenship

2nd June:
 'Growing' a European Civil Society by democratic means (Prof. Philippe Schmitter, European University Institute)
8th June:
Forms of citizen representation and participation in the European system of governance: Present and future (Prof. Yves Meny, President, European University Institute)
14th June:
Beyond elites: Does modern technology help strengthen citizen participation? (Prof. George Papademetriou, University of Athens, Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister of Greece)
21st June: 
Towards a closer union? The institutional structure of the EU and the role of European citizens (Prof. Romano Prodi, President of European Commission)*

* (To be confirmed)

^
top

print this page   send this page