Philippe Cayla, Chairman and CEO of Euronews
The United States and the European Union must work together on Middle East according to Philippe Cayla, who has been Chairman and CEO of Euronews since April 24, 2003. Prior to joining the European cable news channel, Cayla worked as Director of International Development for France Télévisions. He also worked for Eutelsat from 1993 to 2000, and before this was Deputy Managing Director and Strategy Director of Matra-Marconi Space. He began his career as a French civil servant in the Equipment, Industry and Foreign Trade Ministries. Cayla was born in 1949 and studied at Ecole des Mines de Paris, Institute d-Etudes Politiques de Paris and Ecole Nationale d’Administration.
Cayla sat down with Casey Butterfield of the Atlantic Community to talk about the role of Europe in foreign affairs, both present and future.
Part 1
On the question of how much Euronews covers areas outside of Europe, Cayla responds that “We try to balance our coverage very carefully. if you watched Euronews, you wouldn’t miss any important national news.” He reiterates the importance of the transatlantic relationship and that anything of concern on both sides of the Atlantic is covered on the news channel. He sees Iran and Iraq as today’s biggest challenges for Europe and the United States.
Part 2
Cayla discusses Europe’s role in the world and whether it is fulfilling that role: “I see it as a national states having the power, and the EU having the money.” He hopes that Europe will take a larger role in the future, and compares the current situation in Europe to that of the Gallic tribes under Caesar—“but the problem is that in the role of Julius Caesar today, you have Mr. Bush!”
Part 3
Cayla hopes that Europe will still be a peaceful place ten years from now. Potential challenges: the Arab world, Africa, Russia…but not South America. That’s for the United States to worry about.
Related Material from the Atlantic Community:
- John Koenig Says US and EU ”Focused Like a Laser Beam” on Global Challenges
- Ian Carver Asks Whether Or Not Conditions Are Improving in Iraq?
- Retired General James Jones on How The Surge Rocks
