Brussels, 23/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The official birth of the European Circle of the "Confrontation" Association took place at the Brussels' seat of the European Parliament on Thursday. Association created in Paris in 1991, "Confrontation", chaired by the Euro-MP Philippe Herzog, now takes on a European dimension. Place for open debate, research and experimentation, the European circle brings together politicians, trade unionists, business leaders, academics, students, etc. with the aim of contributing to the creation of a "European participatory democracy". It is sponsored by a list of high profile people, including two European Commissioners (Lamy and Busquin), Viscount Davignon, several MEPs, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Mr. Gabaglio, the spokesman for Forum of Civil Society, Mr. Dastoli, industrialists, university professors, etc..
At its opening session, Philippe Herzog, Mr. Lamy and others presented the aims and projects of the European Circle of "Confrontation" as bridge between civil society and the political level, referring to some specific problems such as: "European interest" (the world of politics alone does not achieve this), reconciling competitiveness with solidarity, etc.. Finally, Prof. Paul Magnette, of the Free University of Brussels, gave a lecture on "The European Constitution). The seminars for this year will have as general themes: "Post-Nice: participating in the reshaping of the European project". That of 22 March will be on the White Paper on "EU Governance" that the European Commission is preparing. EUROPE will announce the different seminars scheduled.