Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-05-15-Speech-3-042"
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"en.20020515.2.3-042"2
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".
Mr President, I will be very brief as I realise time is short. Furthermore, this debate has not proved controversial.
I think it has been useful to review our position on the important issue of transatlantic relations. As this relationship is a very intense one, almost a ‘family relationship’, it is sometimes very complex, because we demand so much from ourselves and also from our partners. We believe that in its dealings with us the United States should adopt the same demanding standards we impose on ourselves.
We shall not to be able to solve this problem as we each have different shortcomings. We have spoken of America’s tendency towards unilateralism and of its unwillingness to make commitments in the context of international mechanisms. On the other hand, we have also stated that we are aware of our own failings. We do not invest enough, we do not keep up to standard and we often fail to reach agreement on the implementation of certain policies.
It has been said that it was evident that Mr Prodi and Mr Aznar were not of one mind when they met with President Bush. I think that this is an exaggeration of the truth. In fact, there has always been a broad measure of agreement between the Commission and the Presidency. This is certainly true of the current Presidency and will probably also be true of future ones. I must say that I could not express the European Union’s feelings on relations with the United States better than Commissioner Patten has already done in this House.
Therein lies our weakness, however. We lack a common policy on many issues and there is still deep disagreement over foreign policy. The independent Member States of the European Union continue to make their own decisions. We need to bring our position on major international issues more closely into line with each other.
Nevertheless, there really is consensus between the Council and the Commission on a strategy for our future relationship with the United States. One really does exist. In addition, there is a willingness to retain the special nature of the relationship. We must have all this constantly in mind as we deal with the usual blips in the relationship. We should also be mindful of it as we continue to work on this warm, fruitful and vital relationship every day that goes by."@en1
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