As a continuation of the Guest Lecture series of the IMC Export Department, under the auspices of the Chair for International Law and Global Political Studies, Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic invited H.E. Philippe Carré, French Ambassador to Austria since October 2008, to hold a guest lecture on the EU currents.
Some days before the end of the French Presidency of the European Council, IMC students and lecturers had the honor of gaining insights into the priorities and future perspectives of the European Union.
The major aspects of the “informal” troika between France and the future holders of the Presidency, the Czech Republic (first half 2009) and Sweden (second half 2009) were discussed, consisting of climate and energy, migration questions, agriculture, and security and defense. In addition to these key issues, the French Presidency has been confronted with serious challenges such as the Georgia conflict and the financial crisis.
In light of recent events, H.E. Carré commenced his speech by pointing out the importance of cooperating within the EU in order to strengthen the individual countries and support them to overcome the financial crisis. In this context, H.E. Carré stressed the advantageous position of the EU countries compared to non-members.
Special attention was also given to migration issues which represent a serious problem to many European countries including France. As it is crucial to regulate legal immigration within the EU, the European Pact of migration and asylum has been adapted recently.
Another element of the guest lecture was the EU foreign policy, especially with regards to Russia. In spite of disparate viewpoints on global issues, H.E. Carré pointed out the significance of maintaining good relationships with neighboring countries (ENP, Barcelona process/Mediterranean Union, the EU-Russia and EU-Ukraine Strategic dialogue). Furthermore the audience was given an easily comprehensible example for reasons of disputes in foreign policy by means of comparing “firemen” countries like the Middle East or Africa with European “architect” countries as well as the views on state-of-art of the Lisbon Strategy and the EU Reform treaty.
The final part of the lecture was reserved for students’ and lecturers’ questions, where topics such as the reputation of the EU amongst European citizens, the potential for further enlargement, an eastward shift of the Union by which Austria is benefiting and the controversial topic of nuclear technology as a part of wider European debate on common energy policy were discussed (including the new generation of French nuclear reactors, ITER and CERN). The question and answer session was concluded by recommendations on how to become more “European” and communicate across cultures and countries.
Both students and lecturers enjoyed this extraordinary and interesting, trilingual speech (French, English and German) held by the French Ambassador H.E. Carré and quadric-lingual discussion afterwards (3+Russian). A highly appreciated aspect was to not only get to know the standpoint of France as holder of the EU Presidency, but also H.E. Carré’s personal opinion on current issues the EU is facing.
The ambassador’s visit was closed with the informal part of having cocktails and answering further questions as well as the family picture.
H.E. Ambassador Carré graduated from the École nationale d'administration in 1980 (Bachelor’s degree in law). After graduation, he served as First and Second Secretary at the French embassy in Moscow, at the Central Administration (Centre d'analyse et de prévision), as a Technical Counselor at the Minister’s Cabinet and as First and Second Secretary at the French embassy in Bonn. H.E. continued his career as Executive being responsible for sensible exports at the Department of Economics and Finance. In 1994 H.E. was delegated to the Council of the European Union, where he was in charge of Foreign Affairs and Security. H.E. was sent as Ambassador of the French embassy in Berlin in 1999. Until this year, H.E. served as Director of Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament.
The Guest lecture of Amb. Carré was the 59th event organized under the auspices of the chair for international law and global political studies. The next event will take place on the 16th of January 2009 (the G-8 Presidency Series) when the IMC EXP is hosting H.E. Massimo SPINETTI, the Italian ambassador to Austria.
Photos: Hermann Maglock, U.F. & B.U.
Text: Urlike F. & Bettina U. (rev. A.B.)
The script of the speech of H.E. Philippe Carré can be found here.
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