Transcript Staff Writer

Consuls from eight Western European nations discussed the changes the European Union brought in a panel discussion at the University of Oklahoma Thursday afternoon.

"My conviction is America and the European Union are natural partners," said German Consul General Rainer Konrad Munzel.

About 60 students and faculty attended "Europe in the Mirror 2007," a program sponsored by the Center for Studies in Democracy and Culture, the International Programs Center and the School of International and Area Studies.

The consuls are the heads of the consulates for their respective countries -- Austria, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. Consuls are often located regionally and help nationals in another country, supply visas for those visiting theirs and promote their country.

Most of the consuls visiting Norman Thursday were from their Houston office.

The consulates cover regions much bigger than the European country. For example, Swiss Consul General Ulrich Hunn said his Atlanta office's staff of nine serves 11 states, or about 50 times the size of the entire country of Switzerland.

At the panel discussion Thursday, students asked the consuls questions.

Several students asked questions regarding the changes that have come since the countries joined the European Union.

"We identify as a group, we act as a group," Munzel said about the culture within the EU.

The countries work together to solve problems and prepare for emergencies, but the consuls still act as national representatives, the German consul said.

One change brought by the EU that effects consulates is the different requirements for transportation within the EU. Schengen countries in the EU eliminate internal border checkpoints and visas between themselves.

"Once you set foot into the Schengen border you're in," Austrian Consul General Gernot Wiedner. If more countries surrounding Austria become Schengen members, border monitoring expenses will be drastically reduced, he said.

French Deputy Consul Matthieu Clouvel said because of this, soon all borders in Europe will be dissolved.

This was the first visit to OU for Clouvel, but the trip seemed long overdue.