A distinguished circle
of ambassadors joined U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
Richard Lugar in a constructive panel discussion, entitled "Improving
Transatlantic Relations: Our Common Success Depends on How We Wield our
Hard and Soft Power," on the future of trans-Atlantic relations. EU
Ambassador John Bruton shared the story of Ireland's rise to economic
prominence after it became an EU member and subsequently what is often
referred to as the Celtic Tiger. Ambassador Simonyi and Slovak Ambassador
Rastislav Kacer spoke about the positive impact the enlarged EU can have
on the strengthening of transatlantic relations.
The conference was
organized by the Chairman of the Ripon Educational Fund, the Honorable Ed
Bethune.
Ambassador Simonyi conferring with Senator Lugar
Keynote speakers Ambassador Simonyi and EU Ambassador
John Bruton
Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Kacer, Ed Bethune, Senator
Lugar, Ambassador Simonyi and Lana Bethune
