Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue: Review and Perspectives - Seminar on Euro-Mediterranean Relations
I. Valinakis, R. Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, C. Farnaud, H. Loza
© MAEE
- On: 21.11.2008
- In: Athens (Greece), European Parliament representation
The 'Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue: Review and Perspectives' conference, organised under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the initiative of the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Greek Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yannis Valinakis, French Ambassador to Greece, Christophe Farnaud, Egyptian Ambassador to Greece, Hamdi Loza, and Professor of political science, Zaki Laïdi, was held on Friday 21 November 2008 at the European Parliament's representation in Athens.
Some 80 participants, notably journalists, diplomats and students, attended this event chaired by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou. The conference focused on four topics:
- "Challenges and Perspectives for the Union for the Mediterrranean" by Dr Panayotis Roumeliotis, Professor of International and European Studies at the Panteion University of Athens;
- "Europe, A Power Unlike Any Other" by Zaki Laïdi, Professor, Director of research at Paris' Sciences Po (European Study Centre);
- "Women's Rights and Place in the Mediterranean Area" by Dr Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary General of Egypt's National Council for Women;
- "Building Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation Among Citizens" by Yannis Kofinis, Chair of the Helenic Centre for European Studies.
The speakers emphasised the challenges for the Union for the Mediterranean, particularly in relation to migration, securing energy supplies and environmental protection. The discussions also showed the need to further Euro-Mediterranean dialogue, which is contributing to the current global trend of regionalisation.
On the sidelines of this event, Zaki Laïdi also gave a talk on "The Place of Europe in a Multi-Polar World" at the French Institute in Athens, which was attended by 250 people.
- Updated: 28.12.2008
