The Contribution of 16 European Think Tanks to the Polish, Danish, and Cypriot Trio Presidency of the European Union [antikvár]

y| t a time of intense debate over such symbolic achievements as the euro and Schengen, IY the difficult task of presiding over the Council falls to Poland, Denmark and Cyprus, i 1 These countries have a chance to help shape the future of European integration. Europe's economic and financial crisis was of historic proportions and its negative social and political effects are still being measured. The twin challenges of the environment and energy remain at the top of European and international agendas. The "Arab spring" is an opportunity for the EU to lay the foundations of a new partnership with its neighbours. Across the world, powerful and emerging countries alike continue to assert themselves, on the basis of more or less cooperative relationships with Europe. In these complex and stimulating circumstances, the Polish, Danish and Cypriot Trio Presidency will be able to make use of the newly implemented Lisbon Treaty to coordinate its action with that of the President of the European Council. The Trio will be able to focus on implementing the policies and projects that the European Union needs - and which this report aims to inspire. A product of multinational, multicultural cooperation, with contributions by 16 eminent European think tanks, this third report lives up its title, "Think Global - Act European". Given the current trend of national introspection, such a credo is more necessary than ever. In an increasingly globalised world, the merits of the go-it-alone approach are unconvincing. EU countries have an interest in being "united in diversity". To illustrate this motto, Notre Europe coordinated the report in conjunction with an edito- rial committee composed of three think tanks based in the countries of the Trio Presidency: demosEUROPA, the Danish Institute for International Studies, and the Cyprus Center for Euro- pean and International Affairs. In the same spirit, some of the report's 54 contributions were co-authored. And to show that European aims can converge, the report highlights a short list of concrete recommendations for action. As the new president of Notre Europe, I am proud to present the fruit of this deep cooperation between think tanks. I would like to thank them for their constructive efforts. To the Trio Presidency, to the President of the European Council and to all decision-makers and interested observers, my wish is that the analyses and propositions in this third TGAE report serve as food for thought and action during the upcoming semesters. Antonio Vitorino President, Notre Europe