Atlantic Partnership: Background

History

The Atlantic Partnership was founded by the former leader of the British Conservative Party Michael Howard in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks there was a fear that as America pursued the war on terror, it risked drifting apart from Europe which was pursuing monetary and political unification, and expansion in the form of Europe wide institutions. This organisation was formed to ensure this was not the case. This objective can be seen in two quotes from a statement on the organisations website in which Lord Powell of Bayswater states that the:

“Atlantic Partnership’s role is to argue the case for setting major policy decisions in the context of their impact on transatlantic relations. That should apply as much to the way America pursues the global war against terrorism as to the European Union’s ambition to build stronger, Europe-wide institutions.”

And also that:

:“Governments on both sides of the Atlantic have recognised how much we all stand to lose if we allow our continents to drift apart. Quite apart from the material damage we would do ourselves, such separation would weaken the values which we want to see adopted more widely throughout the world."

Both these quotes show that the Atlantic Partnership was created to bridge the gap between America and Europe.

The organisation has sought over the years to continue the strong influence of America in the development of the European Union. This has been done by using the United Kingdom as the spokesman for American interests. It also represents a continuation of American policy towards Europe which was established during the Second World War and the Cold War.

As can be seen in the people section, this organisation is linked to very powerful individuals from the world of politics, business and the military. Through its many connections with these individuals the organisation has been influential in fostering relationships and influencing decision making at the highest level. This has largely been done through the many breakfast meetings that the company hosts each year in the United Kingdom France, Germany, Spain and the United States. These meetings have been held with the aim of giving major figures the chance to deliver their views to an invited audience, made up of leading businessmen, political and military leaders, and people from the media world such as newspaper editors. These speakers have included the current British Prime Minister, David Cameron; the governor of the Bank of England, Dr. Mervyn King; the President of the World Bank, Ambassador Robert Zoellick; and also General James Jones, United States National Security Advisor. All of these men are very influential in the decision making of their respective countries. .

Aims and Objectives

The Atlantic Partnership’s main aim is to create a relationship between America and Europe. The governments within these transatlantic areas have different goals and initiatives, the Atlantic partnerships role is therefore to ensure the continents do not drift apart and become weaker as lone entities. Acting together allows the separate continents to share values and spread the Atlantic Partnerships values and aims. The Atlantic partnerships role between the different nations is its attempt to set major policy decisions and agreements, keeping in mind the impact these decisions will have on the transatlantic nations. These policies can vary from the War on Terror which followed 9/11 and the European Union’s (EU) ambitions to create Europe-wide institutions.

The Atlantic Partnership website states the ways in which it achieves these aims and objectives:

• We have formed a high level network of high profile opinion formers on both sides of the Atlantic who are willing to use their influence to further the European American relationship – they are our Atlantic Partnership panel, our Vice Chairmen and Patrons.

• We identify issues of concern and activate opinion formers.

• We host high level breakfast meetings giving major figures the opportunity to air their views to a select group of leading decision makers and opinion formers. The breakfasts now take place in London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Madrid, New York and Washington DC. We intend to extend them to Hamburg and Rome.

• We ‘drip feed’ the national and international press with articles and interviews promoting the cause of the partnership, with the aim of developing a defined profile in the media in the longer term.

• We aim to contribute to programmes on the electronic media bringing attention to the values of the partnership and the importance of not allowing particular points of friction to undermine it.

• We monitor issues relating to the relationship from both sides of the Atlantic. Atlantic Partnership’s website contains keynote articles and speeches.

• We aim to ensure that supporters are fully briefed on the issues and current debates through a regular newsletter as well as regular publications of articles and speeches written by our panelists.

• We have a website to keep supporters informed of the work of the partnership.

• We have offices in London and Washington, DC.

• We are establishing ‘cells’ of Atlantic Partnership supporters elsewhere in Europe, namely Paris, Berlin and Rome and Madrid.

• We operate as a central point from which supporters of the partnership can network with each other.

Activities

The Atlantic Partnership hosts many activities, some notable examples of recent years:

AP Breakfast with Mark Hoban MP Monday, 27th of September 2010, 8:00 am-9:00 am Breakfast Discussion

Mark Hoban MP, Financial Secretary to Her Majesty’s Treasury, was AP’s special guest at a breakfast discussion on regulatory reform in the US and the EU, and the importance of international cooperation going forward. The event was held in New York City at the British Consul General’s private residence.

AP/Center for Transatlantic Relations Luncheon Discussion with the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard, QC MP Thursday, 13th of May 2010, 12pm Luncheon Discussion

The Rt. Hon. Michael Howard, QC MP, Atlantic Partnership’s Founding Chairman and former Leader of the Conservative Party, was a special guest of AP and the Center for Transatlantic Relations at a luncheon discussion on the outcome of the British elections and how the changing power paradigms influence transatlantic relations. The event was hosted at Morton’s in Washington, DC.

AP Dinner Discussion with Congressman Robert Wexler and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Wednesday, 16th of December 2009, 7:00pm-9:00pm Dinner Discussion

Congressman Robert Wexler, Senior Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Chair, Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue, were the special guests of the Atlantic Partnership and H.E. Mr. Guilio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Italian Ambassador to the United States. Commentary focused on the practical issues to address in achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The event was hosted by Ambassador Terzi di Sant’Agata at the Villa Firenze in Washington, D.C.

AP Luncheon with H.E. Mr. Sergey Kislyak Monday, 9th of February 2009, 1:00pm-2:30pm Lunch Discussion

H.E. Mr. Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, was a special guest at a high-level lunch discussion about the future of U.S. relations with the Russian Federation. The event was hosted at the Cohen Group in Washington, D.C.

AP Dinner with Sen. Robert Casey Wednesday, 17th of September 2008, 8:00pm-9:30pm Dinner Discussion

U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pennsylvania), member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, was a special guest at the high-level diner discussion on the ‘Key Questions Defining Pakistan’s Future.’ The dinner was hosted by Ambassador Castellaneta, Italian Ambassador to the United States, at Villa Firenze in Washington, DC

Young Leaders Book Series with Suzanne Goldenberg, New York Thursday, 1st of February 2008, 7:00pm-8:30pm Book Discussion

Suzanne Goldenberg discussed her new book “Madam President: Is America Ready to Send Hillary Clinton to the White House?” Margaret Cannella hosted the event in New York.

AP Breakfast with James Rubin, London Friday, 14th of December, 2007, 8:00am-9:15am Breakfast Discussion

Former Assistant Secretary of State in the Clinton Administration and Atlantic Partnership Trustee James Rubin spoke at breakfast on European-American Relations. The event was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel in London.

AP Defense Discussion Breakfast, London Thursday, 17th of May, 2007, 8:00am-9:15am Defense Breakfast Discussion

The Discussion took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel. Guests included:

• Lord Powell of Bayswater, Chairman of Atlantic Partnership
• James Arbuthnot MP, Chairman, H of C Defence Committee
• Mr. Robert Fox, Journalist Dr. The Lord Gilbert, Former Labour Defence Min of State for Labour
• Lord Howell of Guildford, Lords Foreign Affairs Spokesman & Opposition Deputy Leader
• Field Marshal Lord Inge, Former CDS
• Mr. Bill Jeffrey, PUS, MOD
• Mr. Anton la Guardia, Defence Editor, The Economist Sir Peter Ricketts, PUS FCO
• Major General Charles Vyvyan, Defence Advisor to B of A

AP Breakfast with David Cameron, London Tuesday, 31st of October, 2006, 8:00am-9:15am Breakfast Discussion

The Rt. Hon. David Cameron, Leader of the Opposition in the UK, spoke over breakfast at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel in London.

AP Breakfast with H.E. Sir Emry Jones Perry, New York Thursday, 6th of April, 2006, 8:00am-9:15am Breakfast Discussion

H.E. Sir Emry Jones Perry, UK Ambassador to the UN spoke at breakfast on “The Transatlantic Relationship: Effective Responses to Global Issues” at the University Club in New York.

Publications

Publications with strong relations to the Atlantic Partnership and its goals are as follows:

• The Transatlantic Economy 2010 Annual Survey of Jobs, Trade and Investment between the United States and Europe

Published: August 8, 2010

• Globalization & Europe: Prospering in the New Whirled Order

Published: August 8, 2010

• Power Politics: Energy Security, Human Rights, and Transatlantic Relations

Published: August 8, 2010

• Fortresses and Icebergs: Volume 2 Country Studies

Published: August 8, 2010

• France, America and the World: A New Era in Franco-American Relations?

Published: August 8, 2010