In May 10-16, 2004 Tomsk State University, namely Chair of World Politics held the first methodological seminar within the framework of the TEMPUS-TACIS project "Siberian Network of the EU Studies Centres". The seminar was devoted to the history and economic aspects of the European integration. About 20 university lecturers and postgraduates from the partner-universities (Tomsk State University, Novosibirsk State Technical University, Kemerovo State University, Tyumen State University, and Irkutsk State University) took part in it. The seminar also was open for all who were interested in the topic. There were representatives from Tomsk State Polytechnic University, from an affiliation of Irkutsk State University in Ust-Ilimsk, students and staff from Tomsk universities.

      At the first meeting participants-trainees and 10 Tomsk and 2 European experts were introduced to each other. It was distributed a reader with materials presented by experts teaching at the seminar and discussed different organisational aspects of the seminar work.

      The seminar has started from an overview of historical and economic aspects of European integration presented by Tomsk experts. Dr. Tatiana Byalikova, associate professor, Chair of New and Contemporary History and International Relations, focused on history of European idea and reasons led to the creation of the European Communities. Dr. Elena Litsareva, associate professor, Chair of World Politics, presented and discussed with the trainees economic and monetary issues of European integration.

      Western experts from European partner-universities concentrated mostly on theoretical and current issues of the integration process. Richard Sakwa, professor of Russian and European Politics, a Head of Politics and International Relations Department at the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, delivered in-depth intensive course on theoretical and practical aspects of federalism issues of the European Union project. His latest book devoted to the President Putin was presented at the local TV station in a news program which was shown all over the Siberian region.

      Doctor Kirsten Westphal, Department of Political Science at Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, a specialist in energy policy of the EU, has elaborated different aspects of the most perspective area of the EU-Russia relations - energy sector. She discussed with trainees an existing potency for deeper co-operation, interest groups in this area, obstacles and perspectives for further development.

      On the last day of the seminar a round-table "Enlargement of EU and its consequences for countries of the region" was organized. Professor Sakwa and associate professor Sergey Miroshnikov, Chair of World Politics, co-chaired presentations of the seminar participants and general discussion.

      The seminar participants took part in the seminar trainings, listened to the master-classes delivered by Tomsk and Western experts, worked at the TSU library and the World Politics Chair library. It was organised a special tour on electronic resources of the TSU Scientific Library funds, European Documentation Centre. British Council Centre based at Tomsk Polytechnic University organized a presentation for the seminar participants "Internet resources for teaching European studies".

      Besides working and studying participants had an opportunity to see the city, to get acknowledge with its cultural and historical attractions, to make contacts with each other, and to plan future common activities. The seminar was the first event in the series of 5 seminars in Russia and one in the European Union universities. It was a good opportunity to meet each other, for many - for the first time to see other participants, to clarify some points of the project, to review goals and perspectives.

      On the whole the participants highly evaluated the work of the seminar organisers, experts, and made some recommendations for the next seminar that is going to take place in Irkutsk in September 19th - 26th, 2004. Experts who worked with trainees also had several suggestions which will be implemented in the coming seminar.

First summer methodological school participants
Name	Institution	Address, phone, e-mail
Foreign experts
Pr. Richard Sakwa	University of Kent at Canterbury	e-mail:
Dr. Kirsten Westphal	Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Department of Political Science	e-mail:
Experts from TSU
Dr. Alexandr M. Barnashov	TSU, Department of constitutional and International law
Dr. Tatyana A. Byalikova	TSU, Department of History and International Relations	e-mail:
Dr. Larisa V. Deriglazova	TSU, Department of World Politics	e-mail:
Pr. Vasily P. Zinoviev	TSU, Dean of Department of History	e-mail:
Dr. Alla A. Kassianova	TSU, Department of World Politics	e-mail:
Dr. Elena Yu. Litsareva	TSU, Department of World Politics	e-mail:
Sergey N. Miroshnikov	TSU, Department of World Politics	e-mail:
Pr. Mikhail Ya. Pelipas	TSU, Head of Department of History and International Relations	e-mail:
Dr. Alexei A. Stukanov	TSU, Department of World Politics	e-mail:
Dr. Alexei G. Timoshenko	TSU, Head of Department of World Politics	e-mail: