The European Union and the economic crisis

This session of Aspen Ideas, the debate series on contemporary issues held throughout the year, will take place on the 21st of April on the topic “The European Union and the economic crisis”.  The debate will be presented by Pablo García Berdoy, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union, and moderated by María Sicilia Salvadores, Director Strategy at Enagás.

Aspen Institute España’s civic mission is more important now than ever.  In trying times like these our society needs spaces where individuals can reflect and dialogue about the future and how to come out of the current crisis from the perspective of a values-based leadership committed to democratic ideals.

Speaker

Pablo García-Bedoy began his diplomatic career in 1987 working in the Cabinet of the Minister of Exterior Affairs. From 1988 to 1990 he was the Spanish Consul in Manila, Philippines.  Until 2000 he held several positions in European politics including technical advisor on international relations in Central and Eastern Europe for the Secretary of State for European Communities (EC), advisor in charge of European Affairs at the Spanish Embassy in Bonn, staff member in the management of European Affairs at the Ministry of Exterior Affairs in Germany (January-June 1995), chair-member of the Reflection Group to reform the Treaty of Maastricht (June-December 1995), Director of the Cabinet of the Secretary of State for the European Union, and Director of the Cabinet of the Secretary of State of Foreign Policy for the European Union. From 2000 to 2002 he was the Director of the Cabinet for the President of Parliament.  At the end of 2002, he was named Director General of Foreign Policy for the European Ministry of Exterior Affairs.  He was Spanish Ambassador in Romania and Moldovia from 2005 to 2009.  On returning to Madrid, he requested a leave of absence from diplomacy and in October 2009 he established the Aspen Institute España, which legally became a foundation in 2010.  He was Secretary General until 2012 when he was named Spanish Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.  Pablo is licensed to practice law.  He has published articles and organized conferences on European politics.  He speaks English, French, German, and Romanian.

Moderator

María Sicilia Salvadores is a Strategic Director and a member of the Steering Committee at Enagás, and an Advisor to DualMetha.  She is part of the Board of the Directions of Enerclub and a member of the Energy Business Council of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and of the Industry Advisory Board of the International Energy Forum (IEF).  María is an economist and a laweyer, and earned a Master in Economic Policy from the London School of Economics (LSE) specialising in industrial organisation.  She has also completed executive development programs at Harvard Business School.  María is an Aspen España Fellow.