Transcript
JUSTIN VAISSE: We might find ourselves at a critical juncture, and 2009 might indeed be seen retrospectively as a turning point. In the short-term, first, Europe just held elections for the European Parliament, and there will soon be a decision on whether to renew the mandate of the President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso. In a couple of months, there will be a final decision on the Lisbon Treaty, in a make or break referendum in Ireland, which will have important consequences for Europe.
In the medium term, there are very serious questions on what would be the lasting impact of the economic crisis on Europe. And that's the subject of this first panel.
And then, in the long term, it's quite possible that 2009 might mark the end of a cycle. After focusing on the creation of the single market and the euro, starting in the mid-‘80s, then on the question of enlargement to the East, Europe devoted the best part of this decade to institutional debates. If the Lisbon Treaty is adopted, this phase will be over, and we certainly won't regret it.
So to discuss the current state of the EU, we have a very prestigious group of people joining us today.
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