The UE proposes implementing a closer partnership with the United States (Marseilles,November 3, 2008)
Before the opening of the ministerial conference of the “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean,”, the foreign ministers of the EU member states, CFSP High Representative Javier Solana and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner met in Marseille on November 3 at the invitation of Bernard Kouchner to continue their discussions, on the eve of the presidential election in the US, about implementing a closer partnership with the U.S.
Meeting of the foreign affairs ministers
of the EU (Marseille, 03.11.08) ©F. de la Mure
Bernard Kouchner insisted on the need to begin a new chapter in transatlantic relations with the next US administration.
Among the priorities for the new transatlantic partnership which the EU desires are:
the need for the US and Europe to work together to strengthen the effectiveness of multilateral institutions in crisis-management and world disequilibria by closely involving the big emerging countries;
the situation in the Middle East so as to encourage the positive changes regarding the peace process, Iraq, relations with Syria and Lebanon, and also Iran which continues to be a source of major concern;
the situation in Afghanistan where the US and the European countries are engaged side by side with the Afghans in advancing peace and rebuilding their country;
relations with Russia and the value of a concerted approach based on dialogue and respect for international rules.
Press conference with Messrs Kouchner and Solana,
and Ms Ferrero-Waldner
(Marseille, 03.11.08) ©F. de la Mure
The discussion paper has been prepared by the French presidency of the EU and takes into account our partners’ ideas and contributions, both at Avignon and Marseille... With a few changes still to be made, this will be the document that will serve as the basis for a joint EU approach on those four main priorities which we want to work on with the new American administration.
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