Strasbourg, 15/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Relations between the European Union and the United States have developed in the aftermath of the events on September 11th, but also due to changes within NATO and in relations with Russia. According to the British Conservative James Elles, EP rapporteur on transatlantic relations, this requires a strategic debate on the long-term aims of this partnership, strategic thought process that is missing, in his opinion, from the Communication presented one year ago by the Commission. In answering on this point, Chris Patten was tough: the dispute over steel, the failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol by the United States, the refusal to ratify the status of the International Criminal Tribunal, the new agricultural legislation, are all the result of an absence in strategic thought by the Commission. James Elles did not hide the differences that are developing between the EU and the United States: after 11 September, Washington feels under attack, we not, and the United Sates are not used to sharing responsibility within international institutions to the same extent as ourselves. From where the need, in his opinion, for a new partnership in which the respective roles would be clearly defined. The German Social Democrat Erika Mann, rapporteur for the Industry Committee, outlined the growing frustration felt by the EU (even if it is not always the United States that is wrong) and she too calls for closer relations through a positive agenda. As for the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the German Christian Democrat Elmar Brok, he also denounced the American tendency towards acting unilaterally: on the International Criminal Tribunal (see page 5), the Kyoto Protocol and trade policy, we speak with two voices, he admitted, also regretting that the Europeans and Americans did not both go to Jerusalem and Ramallah. The EU, which has contractual relations with nearly all countries, has not signed anything similar with Washington, deplored the CDU member.
The Council President, Ramon de Miguel, admitted that the United States has in a certain manner, since 11 September, distanced itself from certain common principals on the transatlantic agenda, but he also tried to appease the fears he sometimes considers excessive: yes, trade disputes exist, but they only represent a small share of trade with the EU (trade increases, disputes do not, agreed Mr Patten). Moreover, the EU must also correct its failings, asserted Mr de Miguel.
Chris Patten also raised the debate underway in Washington: Will the United States concentrate on its own interests, relatively narrow in definition or will it continue to have a leading role in the international context?, he wonders. For him, Europe must not moan: if the United States does not ratify Kyoto, it must push to achieve results in this area, if they oppose the Criminal Tribunal, it must help it be a success. An American Ambassador said that one of Europe's problems is that it does not only find itself faced with a superpower, but with a "super duper power", responsible for 40% of world growth… Another problem is that there are a few to many subjects over which we are not in agreement: according to Mr Patten it is necessary to try to reduce the number of these divergences, without going so far as to call for a totally new framework for transatlantic relations. The positive economic agenda through which we are bound with Washington is an instrument for future co-operation with the United States, he underlined. EUROPE will return to this debate and the vote on the Elles report.