The Aspen Atlantic Group is an initiative of former serving North American and European foreign ministers, from across the political spectrum. Building on a history of constructive negotiations and issue resolution, the senior statesmen are uniquely positioned to leverage their experience and insight to foster a more collaborative transatlantic exchange.
The Aspen Atlantic Group seeks to develop concrete, non-partisan recommendations to help the two sides of the Atlantic address common global challenges. Through its members in-depth understanding of foreign policy, and continued influence as opinion leaders, members of parliament, and advisers to governments and political parties, the group has addressed such issues as Iraq reconstruction, the fight against terrorism, Middle East peace, humanitarian intervention and reform of the transatlantic architecture.
Each meeting has included outside experts from the executive and legislative branches of government, think tanks, academia and the media. Working materials and policy papers are developed by group members and an array of both established and rising policy experts. Some of these materials and other pertinent resources are available through the website of the Aspen Institutes Aspen Strategy Group, www.aspeninstitute.org/asg, under whose auspices the Aspen Atlantic Group convenes.
In July of this year, the group gathered in The Hague to address prospects for a transatlantic agenda on Iran. Joined by several distinguished keynote speakers and experts on Iran, the group discussed nuclear, political, and economic issues. In addition to the 2004 meeting in The Hague, the Aspen Atlantic Group came together in two meetings in 2003: in June in Queenstown, Maryland and in August in Aspen, Colorado.
Former foreign ministers who have participanted in the program include: Madeleine Albright (United States); Lloyd Axworthy (Canada); Ismail Cem (Turkey); Robin Cook (United Kingdom); Erik Derycke (Belgium); Lamberto Dini (Italy); Jaime Gama (Portugal); Bronislaw Geremek (Poland); Nadezhda Mihailova (Bulgaria); Ana Palacio (Spain); Niels Helveg Petersen (Denmark); Jozias van Aartsen (Netherlands); Hubert Vdrine (France).
"The Political Implications of Climate Change," Session VIII of the Aspen Atlantic Group (March 2008)
The potential impact of climate change creates an opportunity for both sides of the Atlantic to establish a shared agenda addressing this imminent threat, while enhancing the economic, strategic, and global development relationship. The Aspen Atlantic Group (AAG), comprising former Foreign Ministers from North America, Europe, and Russia, met in Copenhagen, Denmark from March 6 to 9, 2008, with experts in the areas of national security, economics, and legislation to discuss global climate change. Deliberations covered a range of topics, including U.S. movement to address climate change, the integration of emerging countries, the national security implications of a climate shift, the prospects of a global deal during the Copenhagen 2009 summit, and European and American approaches for dealing with this issue.
AAG Ministers unanimously signed on to a post-conference op-ed published in The Boston Globe, April 8, 2008. The article challenges world policy leaders to collectively employ their resources, garnered during their time in government service, towards a new strategy to confront this defining issue of our time. Signatories included: Madeleine Albright (United States), Halldór Ásgrímsson (Iceland), Lloyd Axworthy (Canada), Erik Derycke (Belgium), Jan Eliasson (Sweden), Bronislaw Geremek (Poland), Rosario Green (Mexico), Igor Ivanov (Russia), Ana Palacio (Spain), Niels Helveg Petersen (Denmark), Surin Pitsuwan (Thailand), Lydie Polfer (Luxembourg), Hubert Védrine (France), Knut Vollebaek (Norway), Lamberto Dini (Italy), Gareth Evans (Australia), Joschka Fischer (Germany), Malcolm Rifkind (United Kingdom), and Jozias Van Aartsen (The Netherlands).
"Africa at Risk or Rising? The Role of Europe, North America and China on the Continent," Session VII of the Aspen Atlantic Group (May 2007)
The Aspen Atlantic Group in Berlin convened 14 former foreign ministers and an array of experts from Europe, North America, and China to discuss the evolving relationships that the major powers are pursuing with Africa. Enriched by the presentations of several German government officials, the workshop explored such issues as energy as a new driver for engagement, the impact of international development assistance, the future of mass conflict on the continent, transnational challenges such as health and environmental degradation, and the status of democracy and human rights. Drawing together diverse perspectives, this meeting served as an important platform for participants to consider a common vision for effective cooperation on the continent.
"The Crisis in Darfur: What is to be Done?" Session VI of the Aspen Atlantic Group (December 2006) For the sixth session of the Aspen Atlantic Group, 14 former foreign ministers, as well as a number of UN and U.S. government officials and experts, gathered in Washington D.C. December 7-10, 2006 to discuss an end to the crisis in Darfur. Keynote speakers included UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, Special Presidential Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios, and UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs & Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland. The meeting focused on policy options for the international community while integrating local perspectives from Sudan. The resulting proposal for action appeared on the December 17th Financial Times and was discussed and reprinted in major publications worldwide. Signatories included Madeleine Albright (the United States), Joschka Fischer (Germany), Ismail Cem (Turkey), Lloyd Axworthy (Canada); Erik Derycke (Belguim); Lamberto Dini (Italy); Gareth Evans (Australia); Bronislaw Geremek (Poland); Rosario Green (Mexico); Niels Helveg Petersen (Denmark); Surin Pitsuwan (Thailand); Ana Palacio (Spain); Lydie Polfer (Luxembourg); and Jozias van Aartsen (Netherlands); Hubert Vedrine (France).
"Russia: Prospects for a Common Transatlantic Agenda," Session V of the Aspen Atlantic Group (April 2006)
The Aspen Atlantic Group assembled several former foreign ministers, along with experts from Europe, the United States and Russia, at Wilton Park, England to explore the opportunity for future cooperation between North America and Europe in crafting policies toward Russia. Amid Russia's recent retreat from democratic practices, the workshop was guided by presentations on Russia's relationship with its neighbors, the health of the free-market economy in the country, Russia's dependability as an energy superpower, the West's views on Russia's strategy and tactics in Chechnya, the state of Russia's nuclear security in a post-9/11 world and Russia's role in the global war against terrorism. These conferences allowed for participants to develop and build strong personal relationships with each other and ultimately, create a strong foundation for promoting enlightened policy. Some notable attendees included former American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who is the Aspen Atlantic Group's founder and director, and Igor Ivanov, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
"A Year of Opportunities for the International Communication: Transatlantic Roles and Implications," Session IV of the Aspen Atlantic Group (May 2005) During a four-day workshop in Vancouver, Canada, the members of the Aspen Atlantic Group, as well as experts and policy makers from both sides of the Atlantic, discussed their recommendations for a package of United Nations reforms, a long-term agenda for recovery and reconstruction in Southeast Asia, and strategies to counter threats from nuclear proliferation while bolstering the non-proliferation regime. Themes such as the "Responsibility to Protect" and the need for democratic nations to take a leading role at the UN were possible areas of consensus which the group examined. Allan Rock, Canada's Ambassador to the UN, and Jane Holl Lute, Assistant Secretary General, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, were among the keynote speakers.
Please find below the meeting briefing papers which guided the group's discussion in Vancouver:
"Iran: Prospects for A Common Transatlantic Agenda," Session III of the Aspen Atlantic Group (July 2004) Building on the momentum of the 2003 sessions, the third workshop in the Aspen Atlantic Group series focused on crafting a common transatlantic agenda for Iran. Key strategic thinkers and senior statesmen spent three days in the Netherlands examining a variety of international and domestic issues that will shape Irans future relationship with the transatlantic partners. This workshop also included a special keynote presentation by General James L. Jones, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe who briefed participants on the recent NATO Summit in Istanbul.
"Crossing the Atlantic," Session II of the Aspen Atlantic Group (August 2003) The second workshop in the Aspen Atlantic Group series centered on specific areas of transatlantic collaboration, including homeland security, Middle East peace, and humanitarian intervention. Members of the Aspen Atlantic Group present at this session in Aspen included Robin Cook, Britains former foreign secretary and current Member of Parliament, and Ismail Cem, former Turkish foreign minister and current president of the New Turkey Party. This workshop also featured a young leader component, and the rising generation of transatlantic experts, of which several representatives were present, infused dynamism and new ideas to the dialogue. While in Aspen, several former foreign ministers released a joint statement giving suggestions to the governments of North America and Europe on how to work together and with the strengths of the United Nations in rebuilding Iraq.
"Transatlantic Relationship at the Crossroads," Session I of the Aspen Atlantic Group (June 2003) In the spring of 2003, the Aspen Strategy Group and Secretary Madeleine Albright initiated a new meeting series in response to the crisis in transatlantic relations. The ASG and Secretary Albright convened senior statesmen from North America and Europe as well as Members of Congress, transatlantic experts, and representatives from the ASG membership. The pillars of the series, approximately a dozen former foreign ministers, present at the first meeting included former French foreign minister Hubert Vdrine and former foreign minister of Italy and current vice president of the Italian Senate, Lamberto Dini. Coming together at the Wye River campus of the Aspen Institute, the group conducted frank diagnosis of core commonalities and differences in North America and Europes needs and values. Participants debated possible changes in the transatlantic architecture, including recommendations for invigorating NATO and defining its role, creating better mechanisms for EU-U.S. dialogue and cooperation, undertaking UN reform, assessing the role of the OSCE, and revamping the G8.
