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

I believe that the links between the EU and the US are strong. However, realistically, how long will it last? When the memory of 9/11 wanes and domestic politics begin to come to the forefront in the respective countries, relations between the two may change. What of other countries close to the US- i.e.: Canada and Mexico. Their relations with the US and the EU respectively have an impact that needs to be explored.

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 think quite the opposite. There has been a move within the EU prior to 9/11 to a common defense policy. This, I would imagine, has been strengthened with the developments in the past year. The relevancy of NATO, etc comes to the forefront again. Whether Europe wants to go it alone without having the US backing is the next big question.
On the other hand, issues of trade have always been on unstable ground between the EU and the US. When dealing with an organization such as the EU and a country such as the US there are bound to be problems. Especially with the economic downturns and threats to the US economy, there may be more inward actions on behalf of the US to protect what it has.
It is interesting to see how trade and security can play off with one another. The US wanting to keep trade at bay, but then wanting everyone to sign onto security. An interesting dichotomy!

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 totally support such an initiative. If anything it is the type of thing that needs to be pursued more on the world stage. Bringing issues that effect citizens on either side of the Atlantic, will help to solve problems and give new perspectives on these issues that may be more similar than we think.
If anything that can be learned from 9/11 is that citizens of countries need to be able to have such forums, so that we may learn about and from each other.

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

I believe so. For example, in education opening up exchanges, starting programs on such issues of transatlantic cooperation will cultivate minds that will end up in positions of power, politically or otherwise.

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?

The responsibility of these two areas is to keep the lines of communication open. The phenomenon of globalization has allowed communication lines to expand dramatically. However, it all depends what the respective areas does with this communication. Open minds and clear heads will be more beneficially than thinking only within the borders. These two areas have an important example to set to the rest of the world.
I don't think their challenges will be similar at all. The EU has a totally different set up as compared to the US politically, culturally, and, geographically. All these factors add up to HUGE differences in the way things are run, discussed, and ultimately carried out. Take trade for example. The set-ups of the EU and the US (NAFTA) are at completely different stages. NAFTA also faces challenges that the EU never did. Even if NAFTA were to follow a path that the EU did, it would not turn out to be the same.

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?

I definitely think it should be improved. However, in building this cooperation, citizens in the rest of North America should not be left out. They too have an important role to play. This congress is a step in that direction.