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

What is your current assessment of the 'state' of transatlantic relations? Troubled on the official levels, but in a way that may transform into creativity. We know the treaties and policies that are not working or mutually agreed upon and Iraq is the most topical. But I think that if Europeconsiders taking more active responsibility for it defense and uses its differences from the US to help unify and assert itself, it can be a more equal partner and not allow itself to be coerced in terms of 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?
Do you think that the next decade will bring positive news in the two 'historical' pillars of the US-EU relations: security and trade? First of all, these may not be the main issues in fact. Environmental issues and inequality may well overtake these issues. Nevertheless, the shared concern over terrorism is bringing new security cooperation, even as it sparks divisions too, so security will at least be seen as being a more common concern, I believe. The different approaches to this will raise very deep issues for both sides so I do not expect an easy time of it. It depends on the willingness of each side to see the point of dialogue and on neither side coercing the other for too long. On trade, I feel unqualified to comment properly.

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?

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? If people do not take the conference as an official event where they do not have to address in a substantive way the thornier issues. This is my concern, that partipants and speakers could sidestep the really conflictual issues.

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

Is the 'people-to-people' cooperation able to open new fields of constructive US-EU cooperation in the coming years? In which way? Absolutely, because the people are the springs that feed the cooperation at the deepest level. All practical efforts at cooperation are valuable but especially valuable I believe is a deeper dialogue taking place in an ongoing way such as I will be describing in my talk.

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?

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? Yes, very much, given some of the dreadful costs of globalization unfortunately for the developing world. Certain restraints and modifications of globalization will have to be undertaken by both sides and they can help each other to see more about how to do this.

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?

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? Yes, this is the most important thing because every advance in every human's experience is an advance for the overall project of cooperation. This is what my talk is about - yes, improving this through undertaking a special kind of dialogue parallel to any practical projects: a dialogue that is more uncomfortable, more truthful, more subjective, more inclusive of emotions, and more patient than we may be used to. In order to be become more intimate with different cultural sensibilities than most of us have in the past, and to develop a genuine intercultural languagewith each other, and in the end, in ourselves.