29 November 2012
Muscat: European Union (EU) got the Nobel Peace Prize for its important role in promoting reconciliation and peace, especially its role in post-Cold War reunification of Europe, said Dr. Ettore Greco, director of The Instituto Affari Internazionali (IAI).
The EU is widely seen as a model of integration.
Dr Greco was delivering a talk, recently, on 'EU institutions and decision-making processes after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty' as part of a lecture organised to enhance understanding and cooperation between EU and the GCC. It was organised as part of the Sharaka project activities.
Sharaka is funded by the European Union and it includes five institutional partners in Europe and the GCC. It aims at enhancing understanding between the EU and the GCC focusing on policy-oriented research, training and dissemination of various activities. Sharaka is a consortium of research centres formed to boost the EU-GCC relations.
Transformation
Dr Greco examined the ongoing process of institutional transformation in the European Union and its implications for the Union's international relations. He touched upon the political and institutional dilemmas, the impact of the present economic crisis and the way ahead.
Talking about the Lisbon Treaty, he said the treaty envisages more powers for the European parliament, greater involvement of national parliament and citizen initiative. "There is also more efficient decision making and streamlining of institutional setting," he said.
Power balance
Dr Greco also called for a genuine economic and monetary union. The shifting power balance between the various EU institutions was also discussed. The lecture also looked into whether the European integration process, despite its difficulties and limitations, may offer a model, or at least a source of inspiration, for deeper cooperation and integration of the world.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Andreas Kouzoupis, charge d affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus (Local presidency of the EU in Oman), said that Europe and the Gulf have a number of common interests' ranging from trade, energy and climate change, to education, culture and communications.
"The EU and the GCC remain dedicated to promoting and exploring these mutual interests to strengthen them in various fields. This lecture is aimed at promoting public awareness," he said.
Muscat: European Union (EU) got the Nobel Peace Prize for its important role in promoting reconciliation and peace, especially its role in post-Cold War reunification of Europe, said Dr. Ettore Greco, director of The Instituto Affari Internazionali (IAI).
The EU is widely seen as a model of integration.
Dr Greco was delivering a talk, recently, on 'EU institutions and decision-making processes after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty' as part of a lecture organised to enhance understanding and cooperation between EU and the GCC. It was organised as part of the Sharaka project activities.
Sharaka is funded by the European Union and it includes five institutional partners in Europe and the GCC. It aims at enhancing understanding between the EU and the GCC focusing on policy-oriented research, training and dissemination of various activities. Sharaka is a consortium of research centres formed to boost the EU-GCC relations.
Transformation
Dr Greco examined the ongoing process of institutional transformation in the European Union and its implications for the Union's international relations. He touched upon the political and institutional dilemmas, the impact of the present economic crisis and the way ahead.
Talking about the Lisbon Treaty, he said the treaty envisages more powers for the European parliament, greater involvement of national parliament and citizen initiative. "There is also more efficient decision making and streamlining of institutional setting," he said.
Power balance
Dr Greco also called for a genuine economic and monetary union. The shifting power balance between the various EU institutions was also discussed. The lecture also looked into whether the European integration process, despite its difficulties and limitations, may offer a model, or at least a source of inspiration, for deeper cooperation and integration of the world.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Andreas Kouzoupis, charge d affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus (Local presidency of the EU in Oman), said that Europe and the Gulf have a number of common interests' ranging from trade, energy and climate change, to education, culture and communications.
"The EU and the GCC remain dedicated to promoting and exploring these mutual interests to strengthen them in various fields. This lecture is aimed at promoting public awareness," he said.
© Times of Oman 2012