Washington/London, 21/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, was in Washington on Monday and Tuesday, where he discussed with the Secretary of State, Colin Powell the development of relations between the EU and the United States and the situation in the Middle East and in the Balkans, after having taken part in the USA World Economic Forum. In a speech made on Monday evening, Mr Solana underlined the extent to which the Euro-American partnership is vital for world stability, while recognising the differences in perception between the partners, starting with the perception of a terrorist threat (for most Americans, 11 September changed everything, while the fall of the Berlin Wall gave Europeans a new feeling of security, which the terrorist threat has stained, but not abolished), the way to respond (the answer is not only military, and the Europeans have learnt this lesson; among others, even the largest country in the world needs partners and allies, and not only followers) and of sharing the burden (in Afghanistan, 6000 European soldiers are alongside the Americans, underlined Mr Solana, among others). Moreover, recalling certain amount of concern that had greeted the arrival of the Euro, Mr Solana sent a warning: we must not also make this mistake when it concerns a development in European foreign policy, with a defence component that remains, and will continue, to remain at an early stage, while the trend is undeniable. We will not match the military development of the United States, but we are determined to provide ourselves with the means to act in a decisive manner there where it is necessary, in close co-operation with NATO, concluded Mr Solana.
In a very simple interview published on Tuesday by The Times, before the arrival of George Bush to Europe, Tony Blair called for maintaining a strong transatlantic link, stating in particular, the European leaders that I know well have a great respect for the American President. Moreover, Mr Blair said he is in favour of the creation of an independent forum within which the European and American political leaders, from the left and right, would discuss their common problems together.