Brussels, 30/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The main themes that Romano Prodi will discuss with George W Bush at the EU/United States Summit on 2 May in Washington (see especially yesterday's EUROPE, p.10) will be the fight against terrorism, the Middle East and trade. Speaking before the press on Tuesday, the President of the European Commission stressed the "profound impact" that the events of 11 September also had on relations between the Union and the United States, and the "exceptional cooperation" that has developed over recent months between the two sides of the Atlantic. Questions linked to combating terrorism have been at the fore of the Commission's work programme, he said. Answering questions on the possibility that Washington might call for Europe's support for possible military intervention in Iraq, he said they were waiting of course to be enlightened on what for now boils down to indiscretion on the part of the press, but the coalition against terrorism set up after 11 September is "so precious" (he spoke of "political chef d'oeuvre" and the "great example of political intelligence") that it must not be compromised.
On the subject of the Middle East, Mr Prodi acknowledged that the "tone" of talks in Washington would depend on developments on the ground. He welcomed the information whereby Israel agrees to put an end to the "siege" imposed on President Arafat, and he announced his intention to "urge" President Bush to use all his influence to persuade Israel to withdraw all its troops from the occupied territories. The refusal by Israel, reiterated on Tuesday, to the sending of an UN mission to the Jenin refugee camp is "unacceptable", pounded out the Commission President. He stressed that, if the Israeli army has nothing to hide, then this mission is an opportunity to prove just that to the world. Furthermore, concerned at seeing "extremely elementary" problems -such as access to medical assistance and others- have still not been settled, Mr Prodi announced: "I shall call on Bush to join with me in an appeal for full and unhampered access for humanitarian aid". He also insisted on the need to "fill the administrative and security gap after withdrawal of the Israeli forces" from Palestinian territories, if "chaos" is to be avoided. The President of the European Commission said he expected President Arafat and "his men" to do everything in their power to put an end to the suicide attacks as, he said, "the security of the State of Israel must not be placed in danger". Mr Prodi obviously also insisted on a solution for lasting peace, stressing the "fundamental" role of the "Quartet" (to meet in Washington on Thursday: see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5).
Speaking on the subject of trade disputes, Mr Prodi recalled that these make up a 'minimum proportion" of trade for a value of over one billion euro per day. We have "an almost constant stock of disputes", he remarked. He restated his disappointment, however, about the decision of the Bush administration to grant still greater protection to the American steel industry. Today, he said, "we must act". He was certain that the WTO will be penalising American measures which, he continued, cast doubt as to Washington's commitment with regards World Trade Organisation obligations. In response to an American journalist who recalled that the United States has a considerable trade deficit and who doubted retaliation as envisaged by the Union was legal, Mr Prodi replied: free trade is free trade. I have never suggested one should impose customs duties on China or Japan because we have a deficit in our trade with them … As for European retaliatory measures, he assured, the Union does not anticipate the conclusions of the WTO panel. "We have never distanced ourselves" from the rules and only decisions allowed by the World Trade Organisation have been taken "pending" these conclusions.
Commission spokesman Jonathan Faull had earlier denied information whereby Sweden has reserves about the retaliation measures envisaged by the EU towards the United States. "It is absolutely not the case", he assured.