Abstract

After 11 September 2001, one could have the impression that transatlantic relations were now closer than ever before. It was not only the horror and grief over the terrible events that seemed to unite the nations on both sides of the Atlantic, but in particular the joint determination to confront terrorism with united forces and all available means in the closest co-operation.
We now know that this impression was wrong; the estrangement between Europe and the USA is greater than it has been for a long time; the USA, the sole world power, is making Europeans realise, at least for the time being, that it wants to solve its problems by and large on its own and only intends to call in the European auxiliary forces on a case-by-case basis, as required; and talk of an end to the transatlantic alliance, NATO, refuses to die down.
Our aim with this conference was to explore and sound out the opportunities of a transatlantic union beyond the immediate topicality of the day, but with both feet as firmly as possible on the ground of reality. Indeed, our aim is to revitalise this discussion by thinking "further into the future"; that is why we want to invite participants as soon as possible to a conference on the possible future of transatlantic relations that is both European in the truest sense and transatlantic (i.e. with participants from all the Americas and from all over Europe).
We hope to contribute "beyond the day" to the continuation of a discussion, but also to a development that will certainly take time, but which should be neglected less than ever, especially in view of the current tendencies towards alienation.

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