Brussels, 23/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the EU/United States Summit to be held in Washington on 25 June, Fraser Cameron and Mirjam Dittrich from The European Policy Centre (EPC) make suggestions on how to give fresh impetus to the transatlantic relationship after the tension over recent months. They set out their ideas in a document entitled "The Future of Transatlantic Relations - Restoring Trust and Building a New Partnership". Above all, they affirm that "the importance of the transatlantic relationship should necessitate more, not fewer, summit meetings" (Ed.: although the number of summits has been reduced from two to once a year). In their view, the president of the US and the presidents of the Council and Commission should meet at least twice a year without any others present. Furthermore, they stress the need to develop relations between the US Congress and the European Parliament, notably through video links (see EUROPE of 20 June, p.7, for the Brok Resolution adopted on this subject by the European Parliament), and the need to intensify Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD).
The authors of the paper call on both Americans and Europeans to "stop hurling insults and treat each other like adult partners" (they say "we need more Powell and less Rumsfeld", as José Maria Aznar put it). They advise: "work together where possible; differ when necessary; but try and narrow the areas of divergence". On substance, they insist on joint promotion of the Middle East peace process, the fight against terrorism, stabilisation in the Balkans and in Afghanistan, continued good work against AIDS in Africa, and a dialogue on global governance. Also, the EU and the United States must together ensure that the WTO ministerial meeting in Cancún is a success and seek to come to an understanding on a new economic agenda covering the digital economy, aviation, financial services, competition policy, food standards and regulatory frameworks.
The authors call on the EU to find the political resolve needed to move forward with regards CFSP, also considering that the "US should reiterate its unambiguous support for a strong, united Europe".