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RIVERS UNITE |
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BEYOND THE GREAT DIVIDE
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THE AFTERMATH OF SEPTEMBER 11
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RIVERS UNITE EUROPE -
THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY EU ENLARGEMENT
The enlargement of the European Union will significantly change the EU on many levels. We want to be a part of that process. The following pages therefore contain information about:
- The enlargement process within the European Union
- Environmental and consumer protection as well as culture in the enlargement process
- Results of the events and other information surrounding the project
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What are we looking to achieve?
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The admission of states from Eastern Europe, Central Eastern Europe and Southeast Europe means that very unequal partners will be working together in one Community. The general public in Western Europe has a great deal to learn about the new member states. Citizens feel inadequately informed about the enlargement process. Very frequently, these knowledge gaps are associated with strong reservations against such countries acceding to the EU: The new members might unduly and excessively burden the EU funds, lower conservation standards or further burden local job markets. In the process, assumptions are often mistaken for fact and interspersed with fears and prejudices. It is our intention to counteract this situation through positive action: by holding discussions and informing the public, we hope to bring some light into the changes, promote coalescence and ensure that players from civil society are involved. |
Who are we?
Why rivers?
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"Rivers unite European Regions" seeks to continue the tradition that has been built by Europe's grand rivers. The standards of living in areas around the Rhine, the Danube, the Elbe and the Oder have always been high; over the centuries, settlements have developed into major cities which have played and still continue to play a significant cultural role. Rivers are symbols of transnationalism: Twin cities and regions along rivers that have emerged through demarcation are helping to open borders. Encroachments into nature in the upper reaches of a river - irrespective of whether these are for expansion purposes or related to environmental pollution - all have transnational consequences. |
What do we offer?
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The main body of the homepage contains commentated lists of links to websites that deal with the above-mentioned focal areas. They identify information packages from institutes and players in the new EU member states as well as services on offer from the European Commission. Both the information and the lists of links are updated and extended on an ongoing basis. Your comments are not only wanted but greatly encouraged! |
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The project "Rivers unite European Regions. The Opportunities provided by EU Enlargement" receives financial assistance through funds provided by the European Commission's program: "Enlargement - partnerships with civil society". |
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BEYOND THE GREAT DIVIDE
THE EUROPEAN COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY IN THE WAKE OF THE IRAQ CRISIS
Marianne Ebertowski, May 2004, 48 pages
After the US-European rift on Iraq, the transatlantic security relationship needs to be redefined. This redefinition should not involve the mere duplication of Europe’s post-war security dependency on the US. Europe should ask itself how its own security interests – including different interests of Member States with different historical experiences and perspectives – can be guaranteed by a new governance structure in which Europe has a decisive say. To redefine the US role and mandate in Europe, we need to have an honest transatlantic conversation on our differing threat analyses and the instruments that we have in mind to counter those threats. |
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The ideas presented here are based on debates ("Lunch Lectures") that the Heinrich Böll EU Regional Office Brussels organized in 2003 on the history and future of the CFSP. The "Lunch Lectures" were held under the Chatham House rules, meaning that none of the speakers will be quoted by name.
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THE AFTERMATH OF SEPTEMBER 11
NEW CHALLENGES FOR A EUROPEAN COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY
Marianne Ebertowski, September 2003, 32 pages
The Brussels office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation invited experts from European institutions and international organisations, academic circles, think tanks and NGOs to take part in a series of debates between April 2002 and January 2003 relating to the challenges facing a Common European Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in the aftermath of the attacks on the USA. |
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We chose ten issues which, from our point of view, are crucial to understanding the events of September 11 and the consequences that ensued from a European perspective. We asked experts what specifically had changed as a result of the attacks on that fateful day in September 2001; what Europe should do in terms of its ability to take military action and also asked them about the effects of the different foreign and security policies adopted by the USA and Europe. We requested that those taking part should speak their mind and gave our commitment to keep their contributions anonymous. For this reason, the debates included in this brochure are not verbatim.
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