Think Global. Act European. European Think Tanks Contribution to the Trio of the French, Czech and Swedish Presidencies of the Union

From July 2008, France, the Czech Republic and Sweden will form the next trio of European Union presidencies. If ratified, the Treaty of Lisbon will create a stable European
Council Presidency and reinforce the role of the Trio at the head of sectoral Councils of Ministers in order to assure greater continuity in the institutions’ action.

The ideas of Europe’s think tanks are increasingly seen as an essential contribution in defining the EU’s agenda. The strength of this thinking lies also in the ability of think
tanks to work together and to develop intellectually fruitful ideas among themselves.

In this context, Notre Europe and the Fondation pour l’innovation politique decided to bring together a group of European think tanks in order to produce ideas and proposals
which might assist the next Trio’s preparation, and in this way help with the implementation of the new treaty.

The project, entitled Think Global – Act European, has mobilized thirteen think tanks and received the support of the French, Czech and Swedish governments. The think tanks
chose to work together in the spirit of the EU’s motto, 'United in diversity'.

[Note the report was published before the no vote in the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon]

Council of the European Union: 18-month programme of the Council (POLGEN 76) http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st11/st11249.en08.pdf

Germany: EU Presidency, 2007: The Council Presidency: Trio Presidency http://www.eu2007.de/en/The_Council_Presidency/trio/index.html

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