JHU SAIS to Host Forum on Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe

The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will host a forum, "The Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (e-Pine)" on Wednesday, 10/15 at 2 p.m.

The forum, sponsored by the Center for Transatlantic Relations at SAIS, will address the progress made since the U.S. Northern European Initiative (NEI) was launched in 1997 as well as e-PINE, the U.S. government's new framework for activity within and in cooperation with the eight Nordic and Baltic States.

The following panelists will participate in the forum:

Heather A. Conley, deputy assistant secretary of State, will describe the transformation and evolution of the Northern Europe Initiative into this new policy. She will share specific examples of past accomplishments, as well as plans for future U.S. involvement in the region.

John Shimkus, U.S. congressman (R-Il.) and co-chairman of the Baltic Caucus, will offer a Congressional perspective on relations between the United States and the Nordic-Baltic region.

Aivis Ronis, Latvian ambassador to the United States, will offer a regional perspective on the future of the region and prospects for cooperation under e-PINE.

Daniel Hamilton, director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, will moderate.

The forum, free and open to the public, will be in room 500 of the Bernstein-Offit Building, located at 1717 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C. Members of the public should RSVP to 202.663.5730 or transatlantic@jhu.edu.

Members of the media who want to attend the conference should register with Felisa Neuringer Klubes at the SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or fklubes@jhu.edu.