The Streit Council works toward better-organized cooperation between the US and Europe, along with other OECD democracies. Weaving academic research with policy work, the Streit Council provides a non-partisan forum where policymakers and scholars explore new approaches to inter-democracy relations and their impact on global stability.

The Streit Council also publishes a journal, Freedom & Union.

What's New:

Dr. Federiga Bindi joins the Streit Council Advisory Board

Dr. Bindi is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where her research focuses on the EU, transatlantic relations and global governance issues. She holds the Jean Monnet Chair in European Political Integration at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and is a Founding Director of the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence. In addition to multiple academic positions, she currently serves as Advisor to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs. She has been also an Advisor to the Italian Ministry of European Commission Politics, a Personal Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, an Advisor to the Deputy Minister of International Trades on International Relations, and an Advisor to the European Commission and the Council of Europe. She served as International Secretary of the Union of Democrats for Europe party. She has just edited a volume on EU foreign policy and is currently completing another on the EU and Italy.

A Narrower Atlantic by Peter Baldwin, from Prospect Magazine May 2009

In this article, Peter Baldwin questions the assumption, held by many on both sides of the Atlantic , that there is a fundamental difference between the United States and Europe . Numerous dichotomies – free market versus social democracy, burgeoning development versus environmental protection, religiosity versus rationalism – fail to stand up to closer scrutiny. Baldwin encourages readers to think critically about some of the statistics that are so often cited, suggesting that they have been culled from a much more nuanced array of data in order to fit preconceived national stereotypes. European nations ultimately vary widely, with the United States often falling well within the European range.

Latest Issues of Freedom and Union:
Union of the West - Global NATO - League of Democracies:
Which way for U.S. Foreign Policy?

Symposium on Balladur's Union of the West

The Streit Council organized a three-day visit of Edouard Balladur, former French Prime Minister, to the US in September 2008, to launch his new book "For a Union of the West between Europe and the United States". The book will be published shortly in English by Hoover Institution Press, in collaboration with the Streit Council. The Streit Council arranged events for Mr. Balladur at the National Press Club, at the Council on Foreign Relations, and at Johns Hopkins SAIS. He also held meetings in Washington with government officials, including Secretary of State Rice, to present his proposal.

Paul Rich, President, Policy Studies Organization, delivers a lecture to the Streit Council Annual Meeting dinner, Cosmos Club, July 18, 2008

Transatlantic Relations News

Sweden pressing the EU on emission rate reductions
1 July 2009 – EurActiv
Andreas Carlgren, Sweden’s environment minister, said that Sweden will take a strong stance to encourage other developed nations to take more ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emission rates before the Copenhagen conference in December. "Unless they also make an effort, we will not get a strong enough agreement on the climate in Copenhagen," said Carlgren. Sweden will press the EU to expand its plans to reduce emission rates from 20% to 30% by 2020. He argued that if developed nations do not take strong actions now, they will find themselves having to provide funding to reduce emissions in developing nations in the near future. Sweden will stress these issues during upcoming talks and meetings with G8 and G20.
(Read More)

G8 to cut emissions by 80% by 2050
1 July 2009 – AFP
A draft of a G8 declaration is to be issued at the summit in Italy next week. It seeks to cut 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the G8 nations. The base comparison is likely to be 1990 although a more recent year could be used. If nations do adhere to this declaration, it would half the global greenhouse gas emissions, including developing countries, by 2050. Japan has already pledged to cut emission rates by 60 to 80% of current emission levels by 2050 and the US is likely to target reductions of 83% if the current bill passed by the House of Representatives is also passed by Senate.
(Read More)

German Supreme Court ruling on Lisbon treaty
1 June 2009 – Spiegel
The German Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Lisbon treaty, a move that is considered to lessen the confusion and controversy around this piece of European legislation. So far 23 of the 27 member states have ratified the Lisbon treaty which will bring the European nations closer together by establishing a full-time president, a foreign minister and a diplomatic service. European leaders hope to see the treaty come into effect by January 2010. The court ruled on the basis that the Lisbon treaty is compatible with German constitutional law. German citizens seem to favor a referendum on this legislation, similar to the one being held in Ireland later this year. German euro-skeptics believe that the actual ratification of the treaty is still months away.
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IMF Board Set to Authorize $150 Billion in Bond Debut
1 July 2009 – Bloomberg – Timothy R. Homan
The IMF’s board of directors is expected today to approve the first-time issuance of as much as $150 billion of bonds. The bonds are part of an effort to secure new sources of funding in response to the global financial crisis. Emerging markets such as China , Russia and Brazil see bond purchases as opportunities to have a greater say in the Fund. A secondary market for the new bonds is also expected, with the possibility of bond trading between the central banks of IMF member nations.
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US to initiate new move to ease Greek-Turkish tensions
30 June, 2009 – Today’s Zaman, Lale Sariibrahimoğlu
The Pentagon is currently working on a plan to help ease tensions between NATO allies Greece and Turkey. According to Washington, the uneasy relations between both countries are hindering their ability to effectively contribute in “contentious areas” like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The central argument between Greece and Turkey revolves around the divided island nation of Cyprus, which is split between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. Because Greek Cyprus is not recognized by Turkey, although it is a member of the EU, it is unable to participate in EU-led and NATO-assisted peacekeeping operations. The Greeks and Turks are also in contention over air and sea boundaries and flight rules in the Aegean. Most Turkish defense expenditure is used to strengthen its Aegean borders against the Greeks, which Washington sees as an unconstructive and unnecessarily expensive use of resources. The Pentagon does not yet have a comprehensive plan to help mediate the situation, but officials are “studying the parameters of a plan to see what both countries can do militarily to ease tensions between themselves.” It is Washington’s hope that the two countries can agree to start putting their military resources toward common goals such as NATO operations in the Middle East.
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NATO restores ties with Russia
June 28, 2009- Associated Press
During informal talks between Russia ’s foreign minister and foreign ministers from NATO’s 28 member states officials agreed to resume military ties. Cooperation has been frozen for 10 months as a result of the Georgian conflict. The nations new partnership will tackle security issues such as Afghanistan, efforts to fight piracy, terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons.
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G8 ministers agree to cooperate in stabilizing Afghanistan
June 28, 2009- China view
Foreign ministers agreed to increase help to Afghanistan in preparation for their August 20 elections. In a statement issued by the group, they said they were “‘firmly committed’” to supporting Afghanistan as they “‘confront grave security, humanitarian, counter-narcotics, terrorism and economic challenges.‘” The group pledged to provide both military and economic support for the election. They also called on NATO and the UN to provide technical and financial support as well.
(Read More)

G8 to ask India and China to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
28 June 2009 – The Hindu
The G8 countries are expected to ask major developing countries, like China and India, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the G8 summit in Italy next week.  Furthermore, draft legislation also aims at establishing a green technology fund for developing nations. G8 leaders are expected to reiterate their statements from last year’s summit and try to cut their emission rates by half until 2050. The meeting is said to try to rally nations before the December Copenhagen meeting which will determine the post 2012 conditions. Yet the draft has received some criticism because of its vague language.
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Brown proposes £60bn climate fund
26 June 2009 – BBC
Prime Minister Brown proposed a £60bn annual fund that is supposed to help developing countries obtain better green technology in order to reduce global greenhouse gas emission rates. Brown hopes to break the deadlock over who should aid the developing countries in this difficult process. Brown also hopes that this legislation will help countries come to an agreement at the Copenhagen summit. Although the figure proposed by Brown is less than needed, it will function as a starting point for negotiations at the G8 summit in Italy focused on climate change issues. In order to battle the climate change, Britain is also trying to cut its greenhouse emission rates by 80% until 2050.
(Read More)

House passes climate change bill
26 June 2009 – Reuters
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) was narrowly passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday and now moves on to Senate, where another narrow result is expected.  The bill, which was heavily supported by environmental groups, comes before the G8 summit in Italy next week and the December Copenhagen conference. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also pointed out that this legislation will create a lot of new jobs since the bill includes an $860 million contribution to the Green Jobs Act. The bill aims at reducing greenhouse gas emission by 17% until 2020. Furthermore, this bill will establish a cap-and-trade system that includes provisions to protect consumers from higher energy prices.
(Read More)

Turkey , IMF to meet in coming weeks for decision
26 June 2009 – Reuters
Turkish and International Monetary Fund officials will soon meet to make a final decision on a loan agreement, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. Erdogan indicated willingness to make a deal with the IMF. Turkey ’s last $10 million agreement expired last May. Business leaders and markets eagerly await a new deal, hoping that it will ensure that Turkey will pursue sound fiscal policies.
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Trade ministers seek Doha progress for Pittsburgh G20
25 June 2009 – Reuters – Jonathan Lynn
Trade ministers want concrete progress in the ongoing Doha round in time for September’s G20 summit in Pittsburgh, Australia has said. Trade Minister Simon Crean argued that steps to free up trade would help stimulate the global economy. Although negotiations have been stalled since the current round began in 2001, Crean cited a new sense of urgency among trade ministers. Meanwhile, American and Chinese trade officials pointed to the current economic dispute between the two nations, and in particular to its adjudication by the WTO, as a sign of the maturity of global trade institutions.
(Read More)

The EU’s Carbon Capture and Geological Storage (CCS) plan
25 June 2009 – European Union
The EU made plans to finance the Carbon Capture and Geological Storage (CCS) project developed in collaboration with China . The project aims at near zero carbon emission coal technology through carbon capture and storage in the EU and China by 2020. This technology could play a major role for sustainable development since most developing countries rely heavily on coal produced energy. EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas hopes that the cooperation between China and the EU on this technology will fuel further cooperation at the December Copenhagen meeting.
(Read More)

Chile hopes to join OECD before March 2010
25 June 2009 – Carolina Picas – Dow Jones Newswire
According to Finance Minister Andres Velasco Chile has a good chance to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development before the end of the Bachelet administration in March 2010. However, in order to join Chile has to modify legislation in the areas of exchange of tax information, corporate governance in private and public companies, and legal responsibility in bribery cases, said Velasco on Thursday. Besides Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia are also applying for OECD membership.
(Read More)

OECD countries boost support for renewable and nuclear energy exports
24 June 2009 – OECD
The OECD countries have agreed to offer “more generous terms on government-backed credits in support of export deals.” This move is aimed at increasing the export of renewable and nuclear energy equipment. Countries that participate in the OECD’s  Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits agreed to entitle projects in renewable and nuclear energies sectors to official export support. Mainly this support is manifested in longer and more flexible loan plans. This move comes in consideration of the global demand for new energy sources and takes into account the climate changes.
(Read More)

OECD states agree on sanction measures for tax havens
23 June, 2009 – The Guardian, Brian Rohan and Paul Carrel
During a meeting between OECD ministers on Tuesday, an agreement was reached regarding the countries that do not adhere to the organization’s tax standards. They approved an arrangement which would allow the OECD to impose sanctions on offending countries, but they also left open the timeframe when the measures should be implemented. Over the past several months, many countries in Europe with strict laws protecting banking secrecy have been modifying them. Those in attendance at the meeting were pleased that all 18 countries on the OECD’s “grey list,” including Switzerland , Austria and Luxembourg , agreed to the communiqué. Some defensive measures against those countries who delayed tax and banking secrecy reform were proposed. They include: “increased withholding taxes in respect of a wide variety of payments made to non-cooperative jurisdictions; denial of deductions in respect of expense payments to payee resident in a non-cooperative jurisdiction; and termination of treaties with countries and territories which refuse effective exchange of information.” Each country had to decide which, if any, of these measures to use.
(Read More)

OECD's Gurria: Much Progress On Exchange Of Tax Information
23 June 2009 – Dow Jones Newswires – Andrea Thomas
OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria has praised the progress made among member nations in signing agreements on the exchange of tax information. Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting on tax issues attended by 20 EU and OECD finance ministry officials, he claimed “more progress in the last three months than we had made in the 10 years before that.” The task now, he said, will be in implementing the agreements that have been signed and increasing transparency.
(Read More)

EU Agrees on Regulatory Groups
19 June 2009 – Wall Street Journal – John W. Miller
On the first day of a two-day summit, EU leaders have agreed to broad principles for establishing new supranational financial regulators. A European Systemic Risk Council will track the stability of the financial system, while a second body will set standards for governments to regulate banks and other financial firms. These changes are expected to help close loopholes and establish common standards among EU nations. Seeking to build support for a second Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty, the bloc’s leaders also agreed to exempt Ireland from certain EU regulations. Recent polls show that the treaty is likely to pass this electoral test. EU leaders also unanimously endorsed José Manuel Barroso for a second term as president of the European Commission.
(Read More)

Green Week 2009
19 June – European Union Press Release
The Green Week 2009 is taking place from June, 23 until June, 26 this year in Brussels. The biggest annual environmental meeting is aimed at drafting greenhouse emission agreements due to be finalized at the Copenhagen conference in December. The 4,000 participants will try to design a blueprint for a low-carbon world in 2050. EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso is the keynote speaker and is expected to deliver a speech evaluating the prospects of the Copenhagen agreement on Friday. The five "Best of the Best" LIFE-Environment projects for 2008-2009 and the five "Best of the Best" LIFE-Nature projects for 2007-2008 will receive awards on June, 24.
(Read More)

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Streit Council announces the upcoming publication of the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Freedom & Union.
Read the past issues Here