By: AmCham EU (Mar 08, 2010)

 The conference was the fourth Transatlantic Conference with over 150 attendees.

The conference started with a keynote address from The Honorable William E. Kennard, United States Ambassador to the EU. In his remarks the ambassador cited the importance of the transatlantic relationship and despite the financial downturn of over a year ago the economic relationship across the Atlantic is still founded on a powerful vision.

At the conference the Transatlantic Economy 2010, authored by Daniel Hamilton and Joseph Quinlan from the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins University was launched. Daniel Hamilton presented the key statistics from this year's study which revealed that the EU and U.S. are still each other’s biggest investors.

Following the opening presentations were two panel discussions on Foreign Direct Investment and Innovation & Green Technologies. Both panels looked at how the EU and US can work closer together to seek convergence on standards and norms and remain competitive in a globalised world in these sectors.

The conference concluded with a keynote address from David O'Sullivan, Director General for Trade at the European Commission during lunch. Mr. O'Sullivan took the opportunity to present some of the key priorities for DG Trade and during Commissioner De Gucht's mandate.


Transatlantic economy in 2010 - Networking cocktail
In the presence of over 30 MEPs, representatives from 30 AmChams across Europe, representatives from several Permanent Representations and AmCham EU members launched the Transatlantic Economy 2010 study. The study was launched at the European Parliament by John Vassallo (Microsoft), Chair of AmCham EU. Vassallo emphasized the importance of the transatlantic economy, citing some of the key statistics in this year's study authored by Daniel Hamilton and Joseph Quinlan from the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins University.

A call for closer cooperation between business and government was also emphasized by Pilar del Castillo MEP, who hosted the launch event. In her remarks MEP Castillo highlighted the importance of the transatlantic economy in ensuring growth and jobs and in particular providing stability to the global economy.

EU Briefing for European AmChams
Additionally, ECACC executive directors attended the Annual EU Briefing. The briefing included the First President’s Roundtable that was hosted by John Vassallo, Chair, AmCham EU. At the policy themed lunch AmCham EU members mixed with representatives from the AmChams to discuss various hot issues. Mikael Hagström, President EMEA and Asia Pacific, SAS, and Vice-Chair of AmCham EU's Executive Council, himself a member of several AmChams made some remarks about the important relationship between all AmChams.


 Nordic AmCham Executive Directors in Brussels