In view of recent developments within palliative care and the fact that euthanasia has become legal in certain European countries, while legislative proposals have emerged in others, the EAPC is in the process of preparing a follow-up to Materstvedt LJ, Clark D, Ellershaw J, Førde R, Gravgaard A-M, Müller-Busch HC, Porta i Sales J, Rapin C-H. (2003) "Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: a view from an EAPC Ethics Task Force". Palliative Medicine; 17: 97-101.

President Lukas Radbruch, Aachen, Germany has asked Dr Lars Johan Materstvedt, Trondheim, Norway, former Chair of that taskforce, to lead this work. He is joined by Dr Radbruch as well as one of the previous taskforce's members, Dr H. Christof Müller-Busch, Berlin, Germany and by Dr Bert Broeckaert, Leuven, Belgium.

The paper will discuss the relationship between palliative care and euthanasia – clinically, ethically and from a legal perspective. Among other things, we address the idea that euthanasia can be part of palliative care. In doing so, we also respond to Bernheim JL, Deschepper R, Distelmans W, Mullie A, Bilsen J, Deliens L. (2008) "Development of palliative care and legalisation of euthanasia: antagonism or synergy?" BMJ; 336: 864-7.