Since I understand that we will be engaging in an initial exchange of ideas, rather than the presentation of polished research papers reading for publication, I propose to use this opening slot to stake out my initial positions on these big questions. As I learn more about the agenda and contributions of the other participants I reserve the right to reposition myself later on (and also to tackle other questions that may arise from our exchanges). The obvious questions raised by this title are - a) which Europe; b) what transatlantic co-operation; and c) democratization where? There is also a somewhat more academic question lurking in the background - what do the two sides of the Atlantic understand by "democratization" (both as concept and as object of co-operative endeavours), and how difficult is it for them to cope with any underlying disagreements concerning both what it is, and where and how it can be promoted. The third and final section of my paper will reflect on this underlying issue.