Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-chair of the Group of the Greens, European Parliament

One third of Europeans smoke and it is believed 650,000 people die each year across Europe as a result of smoking-related diseases. New York City has just voted to ban smoking in parks, on public beaches and even in Times Square. Should Europe follow suit? Where do you draw the line between public health and personal liberties?

As the world watches events unfold in Egypt and Tunisia, Europe is wondering how it can reinvent its policy towards the region. Launched in July 2008, the Union for the Mediterranean has failed to promote economic integration and democratic reform across North Africa and the Middle East. How can Europe stay relevant in the region? Why is it that European policymakers failed to hear the aspirations of the local population? We put these questions to two MEPs.