"Things can only get better", went Tony Blair's election campaign song in 1997. Will Mr Blair one day revive the formula for the EU? Certain member states favour his candidature for president of the European Council; others are less enthusiastic. In this gathering debate on the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty we see the importance of personality in the choice of the future trio, comprising presidents of the European Council and Commission and a high representative for foreign policy. In Notre Europe's view, the first objective of this choice should be to preserve the community spirit.

In 2008 the Union seems on the road to recovery. We can look forward to two presidencies of the EU Council, rigorous with Slovenia, purposeful with France; a relaunch of the institutions and the hope of a ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon; and the start of a new debate with citizens upstream of the 2009 European Parliament elections.

Notre Europe aims to participate in these positive developments, and has an ambitious programme planned. We will develop ideas on "recognising what binds us" (the theme of our research on European identity) with an original project in collaboration with photographers from Agence VU". We will encourage debate at various levels, in particular via the European Estates General on 21 June in Lyon, and through the European Forum of Think Tanks. We will continue to make proposals: for the future of the CAP, for budgetary revisions, and for the workings of a possible European energy policy. And we will pursue our efforts to encourage a useful participatory democracy at the European level.

Notre Europe wishes all its readers a very happy, and European, new year in this 2008. Let this be a better year than the last and one full of well-being and achievement for all.