We are well into the 3rd day of the 2008 Halki International Seminars, which are organized by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) since 1990. After two years interruption the seminar is once again taking place on the small and picturesque island of Halki, (close to Rhodes) in the Aegean Sea. This year’s seminars focus on “Regional Flashpoints and Transatlantic Policies” and are organised in co-operation with the Balkan Trust for Democracy in Belgrade and supported by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the National Bank of Greece, the Hellenic Aid-Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OTE SA, the General Secretariat for Youth, the Dodecanese Prefecture, Rhodes and NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, Brussels.

The first day was fully devoted to the arrivals of the participants who reached Halki from all over the world. Even if this process continued well into the night, we all managed to gather together, enjoy the Halki delicacies and get ready for the seminar. Discussions on the first session concentrated on assessing past policies and defining future priorities of the Transatlantic partners and on the external perceptions of the EU and NATO on regional and global security. The afternoon session opened up the regional focus of the discussion, starting with the situation in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. In light of the developments that have taken place in the region all presentations attracted much attention and the discussions that followed were rich in context and as often happens, lasted well beyond schedule.

The primary purpose of the Halki International Seminars is to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences leading to greater understanding and forging links among political and economic decision-makers, researchers, academics, journalists and other professionals interested in international affairs, while offering training packages on the processes of European integration and the building of civil societies. Of course this does not only mean working within a conference room but as the participants will certainly verify it also includes informal discussions while swimming, eating and partying.

Here are some fisrt photos from the meeting: 1 – 2 – 3

A report of the seminar proceedings will be available on ELIAMEP’s website a few weeks after the seminar is over.

Check out for constant updates and photos from the seminar!!!!