Brussels, 10/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - US Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Alan P. Larson, who was in Brussels on Tuesday to prepare for the EU/US Summit in June (the exact date of which has not yet been decided), drew up a very positive account of EU/US relations. Both sides are on "common ground" in a "large number" of issues, which can most probably be explained by the fact that they share common interests and values, and that they are faced with the same threats and have the same opportunities, Mr Larson told reporters. This convergence of views also includes implementation of the Doha Agenda, rebuilding in Afghanistan, and security measures for civil aviation, he said.
Mr Larson said that, in his meetings today with the Commission and Irish Presidency, his conviction that the United States and the EU both have a very strong interest in the Doha agenda gaining impetus has been reinforced. He stressed that "it is important not to lose 2004", saying that agriculture will be the key to success and that it is the "essential point". The main competitive agricultural producers in developing countries should also contribute something to the negotiating table, Mr Larson said. He felt that, if an agreement is reached on this agricultural issue, then he believes there is every likelihood of also resolving the other issues of the Doha Round. On the subject of Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC) - where Washington only has a very limited amount of time (the deadline being 1 March 2004) to comply with the WTO decision - Mr Larson said after recent meetings with the leaders at the Congress that he was confident the "Congress would fix the problem in a very near future". Answering questions on the EU's resolve not to grant Washington more time for compliance (EUROPE of 31 January, p.12), Mr Larson simply said: "Now that we are coming to the endgame in this affair (…) it is important that no party takes measures that could disrupt the chances of coming to a successful outcome very soon". Mr Larson also hinted that Washington could in coming months contemplate extending calls for tenders for reconstruction contracts in Iraq to countries other than those of the "war coalition".