Brussels, 06/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The new American Administration under Barack Obama wants to intensify and expand cooperation with the European Union in order to face together in a multilateral approach the many challenges of the day, from the economic crisis to climate change, Afghanistan to Iran via the Middle East, explained US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after her meeting with leaders of the EU in Brussels on Friday 6 March 2009. The EU delegation was headed by Czech foreign minister and president of the Council of the EU, Karel Schwarzenberg, who was joined by EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt (for the next EU presidency). At a press conference, Hillary Clinton said she wanted to bring US-EU cooperation to a new level, revitalize transatlantic relations and promote a strong EU because “a strong Europe is a strong partner for the United States.” “Europe and the United States are both great centres of power, economically, militarily, diplomatically and culturally. We have responsibilities to match that great power. As we have done so often in the past, we must work closely now and in the future. I am confident that we will, ” said the former First Lady. She went on to address a number of vital issues, including:
EU-NATO relations. The EU and NATO “can and should cooperate seamlessly” because they have “common challenges. President Obama and myself believe in a strong NATO working together with a strong EU. We cannot afford to waste energy or resources. We must all be focused on the same agenda,” explained the US Secretary of State. She welcomed the EU's various CFSP missions and pointed out that the United States was involved in the mission in Kosovo (EULEX).
Russia. ”The EU and the United States have agreed to work together to encourage Russia to play a constructive role on the international stage,” explained Schwarzenberg. Hillary Clinton flew to Geneva on Friday afternoon for a meeting that evening with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. The expiry of the START deal and the US missile defence plans in Poland and the Czech Republic (hotly challenged by Moscow) will be at the heart of their talks. Hillary Clinton told reporters that the missile defence plans, if it were to be deployed (and for that it would have to be effective and profitable) would never be deployed against Russia but rather against ”Iran and other actors that might detain and use missiles against Europe. ” ”The United States and Europe have the opportunity to cooperate on missile defence, to do joint research and jointly develop and even eventually, if we can reach such an agreement, to do joint deployment,” she explained.
Afghanistan. Hillary Clinton invited Europeans to add input to the reflection under way in Washington on the United States' future strategy in Afghanistan. She said the talks had focused on the civilian aspects of the future strategy, and the EU priorities of “governance, rule of law and police reform”. “I reassured Mrs Clinton that police reform in Afghanistan and pursuit of the European EUPOL mission in Afghanistan would remain top priorities for the EU,” said Schwarzenberg.
Iran. Europeans and Americans recognise that a strong, unified and coordinated approach by the international community to Iran's nuclear programme” may lead to tangible results,” said Schwarzenberg.
Middle East. Both sides repeated their attachment to a two state solution in the Middle East. The EU will continue to support Egypt's efforts to bring Hamas and Fatah together in order to allow the re-opening of peace talks with Israel, explained Schwarzenberg. He said the EU was happy that the new US Administration had renewed its commitment to the Middle East.
Crisis. Hillary Clinton said that the EU and the US accounted for more than half the world's GDP and 40% of world trade and 'needed a coordinated strategy in advance of the G20' summit in London.
Climate. The US Secretary of State confirmed that Washington backs the idea of setting up a system to cap and trade carbon emissions quotas. There would have to be 'measurable benchmarks' for emissions reduction while enabling participating countries to use 'different approaches' to achieve the benchmarks. Hillary Clinton said that emerging economies must 'absolutely' be involved in reducing emissions and it was 'very important' that China, the world' biggest CO2 emitter, was prepared to attend the UN conference in Copenhagen in December 2009 on the post-Kyoto set-up.
Energy. The United States back the EU plan to create a genuine internal market in energy and diversify energy suppliers. The EU played a key role in solving the recent gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine and 'that leadership may be needed again in the future,' said Hillary Clinton. (H.B./trans.fl)