Symposium Keynote Speaker: US Ambassador Anthony Gardner

During the 2016 Graduate Symposium, James Madison University was honored to host US Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner as Keynote Speaker for the conference. Addressing students, faculty and doctoral researchers from the European Union Institute's Badia Fiesolana, the Ambassador covered many different topics such as Crimea, terrorist attacks, the refugee situation involving Greece, Turkey and the chances of Brexit.

Focusing on specific US-EU cooperation, the Ambassador stated that, the US wants to extend the collaboration with EUROPOL’s consistent work in tracking down crimes and combat terrorism while it is necessary that the EU share information with the US when it comes to military cooperation. Along with creating a stable and safer European environment, the US wants to work on trade liberalisation, from the WTO to multi-bilateral agreements. There is also much more work has to be done on the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) agreement in order for it to pass.

When asked about the EU democratic deficit, Ambassador Gardner argued that a “lack of communication skills” made the EU fail in explaining the relevance of what was done in Brussels for European people. It is only by considering themselves as part of a shared project that the European member states can develop a stronger sense of European identity and, as a result, a stronger European solidarity.

Ambassador Gardner added that "opportunity born of crisis" can be found in the EU and reiterated that, "The United States needs, as never before, an European Union that is cohesive, effective and outward looking."

He also took some time out to discuss the positive benefits of studying abroad, learning additional languages and becoming a world citizen. To watch the EUI's interview with Ambassador Gardner click on the video below: