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In July 2005, IRI's Europe division began its European Partnership Initiative, which seeks to expand the institute's ties with colleagues in the governmental, party, and nongovernmental institutions of the European Union (EU) and its member states. IRI has undertaken a number of high level meetings to identify opportunities for increasing U.S. input in the policy debate in Brussels. Similarly, IRI is reaching out to think-tanks and party institutes in Brussels, and has developed a partnership with the European People's Party (EPP).
This project takes advantage of IRI's pivotal role and unique contacts in Central Europe to explore how IRI can bring its experience to transatlantic issues and build alliances and partnerships with European institutions for global democracy promotion. It takes place after eight post-communist countries have joined an expanded European Union and as the EU is beginning a serious examination of its role in democracy promotion. IRI has found important opportunities in policy and programming discussions in Europe and a great willingness to cooperate on a range of activities and programs.
America's many allies in Europe are keen to partner with IRI. This new dimension of work builds on years of cooperation with organizations like the British Conservatives, the Austrian People's Party, Spain's Partido Popular's Foundation for Social Analysis and Studies, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and others, which have already provided support for democracy building. For example, Spain's Partido Popular has agreed to support IRI's efforts in Cuba and Venezuela. Through this partnership IRI is fostering a greater understanding of U.S. foreign policy amongst traditional and new partners in Europe. Through this work IRI has also been able to tap into a network of trainers and experts who have recently made the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. Their experiences have already been invaluable to other nations seeking a better future.
Working with the EPP and its associated parties, IRI is building support within Europe for promoting democracy. To help support the transatlantic relationship, IRI has begun a speakers' series in Brussels in cooperation with the EPP, featuring U.S. leaders such as IRI Chairman Senator John McCain, IRI board member Congressman Jim Kolbe, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Kurt Volker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Near East Affairs Scott Carpenter, and U.S. Ambassador to the European Union C. Boyden Gray. IRI also partnered with the FAES to host Congressman Kolbe in Madrid.
Over the course of the next year, IRI and the EPP will sponsor several joint conferences on challenges to democracy building, cooperate on democratization publications, work together on democracy promotion activities, and launch other initiatives to facilitate greater interaction among conservative U.S. and European leaders on policy issues.
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