Transcript Staff Writer

Consuls from eight Western European nations discussed the changes the European Union brought in a panel discussion at the University of Oklahoma Thursday afternoon.

"My conviction is America and the European Union are natural partners," said German Consul General Rainer Konrad Munzel.

About 60 students and faculty attended "Europe in the Mirror 2007," a program sponsored by the Center for Studies in Democracy and Culture, the International Programs Center and the School of International and Area Studies.

The consuls are the heads of the consulates for their respective countries -- Austria, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. Consuls are often located regionally and help nationals in another country, supply visas for those visiting theirs and promote their country.

Most of the consuls visiting Norman Thursday were from their Houston office.

The consulates cover regions much bigger than the European country. For example, Swiss Consul General Ulrich Hunn said his Atlanta office's staff of nine serves 11 states, or about 50 times the size of the entire country of Switzerland.

At the panel discussion Thursday, students asked the consuls questions.

Several students asked questions regarding the changes that have come since the countries joined the European Union.

"We identify as a group, we act as a group," Munzel said about the culture within the EU.

The countries work together to solve problems and prepare for emergencies, but the consuls still act as national representatives, the German consul said.

One change brought by the EU that effects consulates is the different requirements for transportation within the EU. Schengen countries in the EU eliminate internal border checkpoints and visas between themselves.

"Once you set foot into the Schengen border you're in," Austrian Consul General Gernot Wiedner. If more countries surrounding Austria become Schengen members, border monitoring expenses will be drastically reduced, he said.

French Deputy Consul Matthieu Clouvel said because of this, soon all borders in Europe will be dissolved.

This was the first visit to OU for Clouvel, but the trip seemed long overdue.

He went to university in Clermont-Ferrand, France, which has an exchange program with OU. He said he applied 15 years ago to study abroad here, but wasn't accepted. Instead, he went to London with his girlfriend (now his wife), so it all worked out. He said he was glad to finally get here, though.

Yonatan Reches, an OU student from Israel, asked Clouvel about the EU's stand on the Arab/Israeli conflict.

This controversial issue is a good example of the benefits of the EU. Instead of each European country bringing their own historical alliances and prejudices, the EU benefits from everyone's experience.

"So each of us, we can moderate each other, we can bring something," he said.

Moderator Mitchell Smith, associate professor of political science and international and area studies, asked the consuls whether the decline of the American dollar meant Europe's role was growing.

"I think it's already happening," Munzel said. "Europeans are playing a very big role in developing aid to Africa, for example."

Munzel didn't glory over the increased role, though.

"We are not really very happy with the decline of the American dollar, because we want you to buy our stuff," he said.

The Swiss consulate had a different opinion about the dollar's decline.

"It's very good for the Swiss banks," he said.

The dollar hasn't changed enough to let Europe supplant the role of the United States, British Consul General Paul Lynch said. Many countries think of the U.S. as the global police, and won't discuss or negotiate with other Western countries, he said.

"There's still a great need for the U.S. to be globally engaged," Lynch said.

Dr. Rodger Randle helped bring the dignitaries to OU.

Randle is a member of the Governor's International Team, which organized the consuls' trip to Oklahoma. As an OU-Tulsa human relations professor, his goal was to bring them to OU.

Julianna Parker

366-3550

jparker@normantranscript.com