AALEP has appointed Mr. George Stavri as Secretary General of the Association. George, a native of Cyprus, born in 1961 completed all his academic studies at Stanford University in multiple degrees, i.e. Economics (W/Honors), Political Science (W/Honors) and International Trade and Finance. While at Stanford, George read Political Science with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and was in the same class as H.R.H.

Although registration in the EU Transparency Register does not confer an automatic right to a long term pass to enter the premises of the European Parliament, it is nevertheless clearly stated that obtaining a long term pass presupposes prior registration in the Register.

In the United States a clear difference exists between registration and wearing a badge.

As of 23 June, you now can go online and see the NEW 'EU TRANSPARENCY REGISTER' www.europa.eu/transparency-register

The Register is Voluntary. Date of entry into force: 23 June 2011. Both organisation and individual lobbyists may register.

AALEP Chair Christian D. de Fouloy met on 20 June 2011 with Dr. Salwa Fawzia El-Deghali, a distinguished Member of the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) within the framework of a workshop held at the European Parliament on the 'Role of Women in the Democratisation Process in Arab Countries' organised by the Committee for Women Rights and Gender Equality, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Development and the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Delegation for the relations with the Maghreb countries of the European Parliament.

The BRIC countries-Brazil, Russia, India and China have a population of over 2.8 billion people between them (more than 40% of the world's population. These countries are going to be the dominant forces in the next 50 years. Now with the recent admission of South Africa, the group will be present on three continents (Africa, Asia and South America), as well as a looming presence in Eastern Europe, thanks to Russia.

The core structural problem of the EU and the Eurozone and the two speeds that exist between countries of the periphery and the center is creating an increasing asymetry of interests that can no longer be served by a single pan-European policy agenda. The Euro was founded on the ability of Eurozone countries to keep their economies in sync. The events of the last few months have revealed this to be flawed. One size fits all doesn't work for the weaker nations.

It is not easy to find a good lobbyist, because someone who on paper has all the right qualifications may well find it bewildering to work in the European lobbying environment. It is also possible that you can be a good lobbyist in theory and do all the right things but get nowhere. A good lobbyist is results driven. A good lobbyist is determined, flexible and an extrovert. He or she combines broad theoretical knowledge of the inner workings of the EU with a mastery of the brief and a sound understanding of the technical evidence and legal aspects.

AALEP will serve as Referral Partner for the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Lobbying

EIASL-Brussels is an international establishment fully devoted to training in jobs related to the representation of interests to the European institutions. This very practical professional teaching delivers a double diploma : A university  diploma in « European Lobbying » delivered by the University of Strasbourg (level French Baccalaureate + 5) and an Executive Master in Advocacy. Training takes place in Brussels over 32 days of which 24 Saturdays and two blocked periods.

The "Transparency Register" set up by the European Parliament and the Commission to extend and replace the "Register of Interest Representatives" opened by the Commission in 2008 will be opened and available online 23 June.