EU seeks vision for next 50 years
On union's 50th anniversary, US diplomats say Europe was wrongly ignored after 9/11.
from the March 23, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
US diplomats noted ruefully this week that US relations had largely been ignored in European debates leading to the Berlin Declaration. They say Washington is eager to join with Europe as a "central partner" in a "shared vision of values" to resolve many of the conflicts challenging the stability of the world.
We were "disappointed" that "not a very big part of the debate"over Europe's future touched on America's role and "transatlantic relations," said Kurt Volker, principal deputy assistant secretary for Europe at the State Department, in comments to the Monitor. But he also said the US could have done a better job in engaging Europe after 9/11. Americans had steadily supported Europe in its birthing in the 1950s, including the Marshall Plan, whose 60th anniversary is this year, he noted. Moreover, for decades prior to Sept. 11, Europe had been central to all US foreign-policy questions. But after the 2001 attacks and the "strategic challenges" they raised, "Europe was seen as not central," he said, to the US challenge of "rogue states, problem states, and terrorism ... which seemed to exist in a separate sphere from Europe."
"But we've gone through an intellectual evolution ... and it is significant," Mr. Volker added. "Now, the principal pillars of the democratic community in the world are Europe and the US."
Much of the initiative to offer a reinvigorating "declaration" is due to tireless efforts by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, diplomats say. This week, Ms. Merkel avoided a small crisis in the 50th anniversary celebration by gaining Poland's agreement not to oppose the statement.
Most political observers agree that Europe can't approach the question of a new constitution until after the French elections in May. The German presidency of the EU ends June 30 – giving Berlin only a brief window to hammer out a new road map with the incoming government in Paris.
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