High-Level Transatlantic Lecture by David O’SULLIVAN: "The Transatlantic Relationship and Its Significance for the European Union"

In the framework of the Master of Arts in Transatlantic Affairs (MATA) programme, offered jointly with The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the College of Europe organised its third High-Level Lecture on Transatlantic Affairs on 26 September 2019.

The lecture was delivered by David O’SULLIVAN, former Ambassador of the European Union to the United States (2014-2019). He has also previously held the posts of Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Secretary-General of the Commission, Head of Cabinet of President of the Commission Romano PRODI. Most recently, he was a Special Advisor to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, for EU-US relations.

Ambassador O’SULLIVAN addressed the topic: “The Transatlantic Relationship and Its Significance for the European Union”. After recollecting past accomplishments of the transatlantic relationship, he talked about substantial disagreements between the U.S. and the EU in different policy areas from environment to security and defence, and presented his ideas on how the EU should engage with the U.S. to overcome the transatlantic rift. He underlined the importance of having a common EU position when negotiating with the American administration as well as reinventing the transatlantic relationship for the new generation. One way of accomplishing this is by establishing more and better people-to-people contacts between Europeans and Americans, helping both sides to better understand the value of the transatlantic relationship.

The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session.