The Impact of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on Cental Illinois

Description

EU Diplomats to Discuss Trade Agreement in Peoria
 
The latest free trade agreement under negotiation will be the topic of a panel discussion and seminar on Thursday, May 1 in the Student Center Ballroom at Bradley University.  Several diplomats representing European Union member states will join officials of the Illinois and U.S. Departments of Commerce to discuss the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and its implications for Central Illinois.  The panel discussion at 12:30 pm is free and open to the public.  Tickets for the luncheon at 11:30 am and the seminar at 2:30 pm must be purchased in advance through the Peoria Area World Affairs Councils at (309) 677-2454 or www.pawac.org.
 
"Relations between the European Union and the United States have become even more important as the US and the EU, long-time allies, face challenges from the Middle East, Asia and Russia," says Angela Weck, Executive Director of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council.  "Business ties and moves to further open their economies to each other are adding even greater depth to EU-US relations," adds Jim Ryan of the International Trade Center at Bradley.  The event is intended to allow Diplomats from EU Member States and officials from the Illinois and US Departments of Commerce to offer a candid discussion of transatlantic relations and the potential impact of the proposed trade and investment agreement on Central Illinois.
 
The event is sponsored by the Delegation of the European Union in the United States and the World Affairs Councils of America.  Local partners include the SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University, the Institute of International Studies at Bradley University, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, the European Union Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Peoria Area World Affairs Council.
 
Diplomats participating in the event include Madam Ioanna Efthymiadou, Consul General, Greece, the country which currently holds the presidency of the European Union; Mr. Simeon Stoilov, Consul General, Bulgaria; Mr. Paul Graham, Consul General, France;  Mr. Klaas van der Tempel, Consul General, The Netherlands; Mr. Robert Rusiecki, Deputy Consul General, Republic of Poland; Mr. Ramin Navai, British Consul General; Madam Jelena Grčić Polić, Consul General, Croatia. 
 
During the business seminar, Marianne Drain, Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will present "Rising Europe: The Growing Economies and Opportunities of the Former Eastern Bloc."  Daniel Goff, Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will present  "A Shared Path to Prosperity: An Illinois Perspective on Trade and Investment with Europe."
 
The panel discussion at 12:30 pm is free and open to the public.  People wishing to participate are encouraged to RSVP for seating purposes.  Tickets for the luncheon with the diplomats at 11:30 am and tickets for the business seminar at 2:30 pm must be purchased in advance.  Registration forms are available at www.pawac.org or by calling (309) 677-2454.  Online registration is available at http://artstix.artspartners.net.


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