I attended the "10+2" Security Filing Seminar from De Lloyd in Antwerp. A seminar I highlighted earlier in my daily educational box (The WSJE Future Leadership Institute) on the back page of The Wall Street Journal Europe. Although I am not an expert in customs policies, the speech of Carey T. Davies, attache from the US Customs and Border Protection, US Department of Homeland Security, was very explanatory. He claimed that 9/11 was bad, but it could have been worse if the terrorist attacks had been targeting the shipping lines between the US and the world. That probably would have led to standstill of the import and export between the US and the world, which would have led to a worldwide recession. The fear for this kind of terror has triggered severe security measurements and legislation which is now beginning to be seen on the field. The new measurements to scan every container entering the US by 2012 were met with extreme opposition from all over the world.
From Antwerp to Brussels to attend a seminar on the topic: "Russia after the elections - analyses and perspectives". I also highlighted this seminar in The Wall Street Journal Europe. Very interesting speakers. The event was co-organized by a powerful female Belgian consultant living in Wiesbaden who recently created "Partners-For-Public-Affairs.com", specialised in Russland-Ukraine-Belarus and Kasachstan. The event itself was hosted by the "Representation of the State of Hessen to the European Union". I must say I have never seen such quality food and customer care at a seminar (there was vegetable soup !!). When Germans do something, they tend to do it good. It is not a myth. 
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