Britannia Radio

Open Europe and FAES

Invite you to a panel debate:

Can there be an EU foreign policy?

Tuesday 12 July 2011

12pm - 2.00pm

EEF - Westminster Suite

Broadway House

Tothill Street

SW1H 9NQ, London

With:

David Lidington

Minister of State for Europe

Ana Palacio

Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Spain and Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the World Bank Group

Jorge Moragas MP

International Relations Secretary and Coordinator of the Presidency of the Partido Popular

Gideon Rachman

Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial Times

Gisela Stuart MP

Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston

The debate will be chaired by Mats Persson , Director of Open Europe

It has been 18 months since the Lisbon Treaty, which established the EU’s new foreign policy structure, the EEAS, came into force. At a time when dramatic changes are taking place in world affairs and on Europe ’s own doorstep it is time to take stock. Has the EU’s new foreign policy structure helped the EU to speak with a stronger voice on the world stage? What lessons should the EU learn from the recent upheavals in North Africa and other parts of the world? Is it even possible to have a single foreign policy in a union of 27 often diverging national interests? Did the recent Anglo-French defence pact signify a move towards more bilateral cooperation on foreign and defence matters at the expense of cooperation at the level of all 27 members?

Please join us for a panel debate to discuss these questions.

Places are limited. If you would like to attend the debate, please RSVP to Sarah Hodges on shodges@openeurope.org.uk, or 0044 20 7197 2333

In partnership with Fundación para el Análisis y los Estudios Sociales (FAES) and Gobierno de España - Secretaría de Estado para la Unión Europea.