Fran EQUIZA | Transatlantic opinion

The Transatlantic relations nowdays are in a changing situation. In a certain way, after Septemeber 11, in the political dimension these relations are stronger, but Europe is subordinated to the US, and we see a tendence to the unilateralism from US, due partially to the difficulty of UE to set a clear security and foreign affairs policy.

2. Do you think that the next decade will bring positive news in the two 'historical' pillars of the US-EU relations: security and trade?

I am not sure of the future of trade. The US cannot start a unilateral policy. Neither, it can build barriers to trade if we want to keep it as a pillar. About the security dimension the relations will be strengthed between the two sides for sure.

3. You support the organization of the congress 'Reshaping Transatlantic Relations for the XXIst century: the citizens' perspective' to be held in Miami on November 14th-16th. Do you think that such an event can bring new fresh ideas on the present debate over the transatlantic relations ?

I do not think the event can bring new fresh ideas, what I think is the event SHOULD do so. The event should open a global framework to deepen the debate and to find new ways to carry on the trasantlantic relation.
Definitely the initiative should be supported because is a very valuable one.

4. Is the 'people-to-people' cooperation able to open new fields of constructive US-EU cooperations in the coming years? In which way?

Definitely yes. The new paradigm (globalization and information society) brings the people-to-people relation and cooperation issue to the front of the debate. This kind of cooperation can be richest and can be more ransparent. The goals to share in this kind of cooperation are morally higher because they raise from the citizens, in the sense that the people are the basis of the state and the society.

5. Beeing the two richest and most democratic areas on the planet, do you think that both the EU and the US societies face a special responsability regarding globalization on the one hand; and on the other hand, do you think that they will face a growing number of similar challenges in their way towards the next decades?

They do. Actually they are the promotors of the globalization so they should face the responsability of the leadership. The changes we are living will be extended in the next decades, then face to face challenges should become a substantial capacity of the societies.

6. Beyond treaties, organizations, common interests, ... the cooperation between Europeans and americans is, in the end, a matter of people cooperating with people (politicians, civil servants, businessmen, executives, professors, activists, ...). How do you assess this 'human factor' today? Should it be improved?

Obviously the human factor is determinant in the cooperation, but not only because the people are who sign or who negotiate, but because the cooperation should be established to enhance the opportunities and capabilities of the people. In this sense the "human factor" is not only a mean but an end.