European Ideas Network Summer University in Porto - The European Union and the Americas: an Atlantic project for growth and prosperity

The European Ideas Network (EIN) is an open pan-European think-tank designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing the countries of the European Union. Sponsored by the EPP Group, the largest political group in the European Parliament, the network was launched in the summer of 2002 and has rapidly emerged as an important meeting point and intellectual crossroads for the centre-right in European politics.

Porto - towards new horizons!

EIN will host its 13th annual Summer University in Porto, Portugal, from 27 to 29 June 2013.

The city of Porto, on the Atlantic Ocean, is the perfect base for launching a discussion on 'The European Union and the Americas: an Atlantic project for growth and prosperity'. It was one of the main ports from which Portuguese seamen sailed and opened new horizons for 'old Europe'.

Meeting of key European politicians

The hosts of the event, Paulo Rangel MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Head of the PSD Portuguese Delegation in the European Parliament, and Nuno Melo MEP, Head of the CDS-PP Portuguese Delegation in the European Parliament, will welcome key European politicians to the event. The meeting will be opened by EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul. Guest speakers include the Prime Minister of Portugal, Pedro Passos Coelho, the Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and former President of the Euro Group, Jean-Claude Juncker and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.

Relations between the EU and America in a globalised world

On the first day, several round tables will take place, on: 'Globalisation and International Trade: a field for cooperation', 'Social repercussions of the liberalisation of trade between America and Europe' and 'Geopolitics: EU-Central and South Americas: a new balance of power in a globalised world'.

The challenges facing Europe

On the second day, participants will discuss Europe's main challenges:

• Ongoing political and social change
• European integration versus separatist tendencies in the EU
• The ways out of the crisis
• How to tackle new security problems in a changing world
• European demographic challenges: immigration and family policies
• The relationship between climate change and energy policies in a post-2020 world
• Transatlantic relations: the US as a privileged partner
• Research and Innovation
• and the Digital Economy - driver of growth and job creation.

EPP Group honours Francisco Lucas Pires

On the 15th anniversary of his death, a tribute will also be paid to Francisco Lucas Pires, former President of the CDS party, MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament.

On the third day, the Chairmen and Rapporteurs of the EIN's Working Groups will meet with representatives of centre-right think-tanks and political foundations. This will complete the EIN Summer University.

The opening session of the Summer University will be livestreamed on www.eppgroup.eu/videos.