La Trobe EU Studies

This is a series of interviews conducted by Dr Stefan Auer with notable EU leaders, ambassadors and scholars. The interviews cover various topical issues related to European integration, including the current debt crisis and its political implications. All of the interviews can be accessed free of charge via iTunes. Recent interview guests include:

• Prof Dieter Grimm (former judge of the German Constitutional Court) discussing the issue of sovereignty in the EU in light of the EU's treaties and case law. (July 2011)

• Joschka Fischer (former German foreign minister) discussing his vision of the 'United States of Europe'. I.e. closer integration and cession of national sovereignty as the only way to resolve the Eurozone crisis and save the EU. (July 2011)

• Simon Hix (London School of Economics) discussing how the EU functions and how it can be made more efficient and democratic, particularly in light of the ongoing Eurozone crisis. (June 2011)
• H.E. Martin O'Fainin (Irish ambassador to Australia) discussing the causes and consequences of Ireland's debt crisis and the future of Ireland within the Eurozone. (May 2011)
• Prof Thomas Risse and Prof Tanja Börzel (Free University Berlin) discussing the EU's ability to act as a global player in the context of the conflict in Libya, as well as the impact of the Eurozone crisis on European integration. (May 2011)
• Dr Oliver Hartwich (Centre for Independent Studies, Sydney) discussing the Eurozone crisis and arguing that adopting a common currency was a bad idea in the first place and that the euro may well collapse. (April 2011)