1. What is your current assessment of the 'state' of transatlantic relations?

The two continents have grown more apart. US is considering Europe quarreling, unreliable and even condescending. Europe is considering US arrogant, unilateral, and aggressive. There does not seem to be much dialogue going on.

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?

And will have to become worse before it becomes better. But essentially, the ball is in the European side. First, Europeans have to get their act together and reform the EU in order to become a reliable partner for the US and the world, before things will improve.

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?

Is has to. Otherwise, where should new ideas come from? Certainly not from the political establishment.

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

States are organized multitudes of people. People are at the core of any evolution. A multitude of contacts between individuals will influence the relationship between states. States are not friends; they just have common interests. But friendship is more durable than common interests.

5. Being the two richest and most democratic areas on the planet, do you think that both the EU and the US societies face a special responsibility 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?

This question implies that US and Europe know best. Looking at history, especially for Europe, I am not convinced. Maybe we should limit our ambition to trying to do our best at home and "shine" for other states like "the city on the hill". Democracy and the promotion of so - called universal values were often misused in order to essentially open national markets for western goods. In consequence, they have lost some of their attractiveness for other regions in the world when hailed by Americans or Europeans.

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?

This question is my answer to question 4. The human factor is essential, it has to be improved, we need a maximum of exchange, especially of young people, still eager to learn, to discover.