Why Europe Fears Its Neighbors

Return to Event List

October 21 2009, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Event Details

Book Launch in cooperation with the Johns Hopkins' Center for Transatlantic Relations.

Speakers:

Fabrizio Tassinari, Head of Foreign Policy and EU Studies Unit, Danish Institute for International Studies, and Non-Resident Fellow, John’s Hopkins Center for Transatlantic Relations, and Former Contributing Scholar, Southeast Europe Project, Woodrow Wilson Center

Discussant: Michael Haltzel, Senior Fellow, Center for Transatlantic Relations, John's Hopkins SAIS

Taking a novel approach to the current situation in Europe, foreign policy analyst Fabrizio Tassinari transforms external policy concerns about Europe's neighborhood into questions about Europe's internal future. His contention: that the situation on Europe's periphery is an unforgiving mirror of its identity crisis, institutional paralysis, ineffectual foreign policy, and morbid fear of migrants and multiculturalism.

Looking at each of the countries and regions surrounding Europe, from Russia and Turkey to the Western Balkans and North Africa, Tassinari unravels the challenges facing the EU, weighs the record of its policies, and explains how both can be traced back to Europe's inherent insecurity. Turning conventional wisdom on its head, he argues that gradual and diversified forms of integration with its many neighbors is Europe's best alternative to a progressive, but inexorable fragmentation of the EU. The ability to meet this challenge will not only test Europe's unfulfilled global aspirations, it will be crucial to its very survival.

“The most pragmatic roadmap for Europe's geopolitical future"
Parag Khanna, author of The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order.

“Anyone wishing to make sense of Europe’s longstanding predicament should read this book.
Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, former Foreign Minister of Denmark

The event will take place in the 6th floor boardroom

Dr. Tassinari’s book will be available for purchase at the event.

All times are Eastern Time.

Individuals attending Woodrow Wilson Center events may be audiotaped, videotaped, or photographed during the course of a meeting, and by attending grant permission for their likenesses and the content of their comments, if any, to be broadcast, webcast, published, or otherwise reported or recorded.



Unless otherwise noted:
Meetings listed on this page are free and open to the public.

Reservations are not required. All meetings take place at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC. Please see map and directions. Allow time for routine security procedures. A photo ID is required for entry.

To confirm time and place, contact Maria-Stella Gatzoulis on the day of the event: tel. (202) 691-4188. Check this page for the latest updates and notices.

Southeast Europe Project
Woodrow Wilson Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-3027
Email: sep@wilsoncenter.org