February 03, 2003

EU's Amato blames France, Germany for policy split over Iraq stance

The deputy chair of the Convention on the Future of the EU Giuliano Amato said France and Germany caused divisions over EU foreign policy by pledging to work together to avoid a war in Iraq, he told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Their statement caused the leaders of eight countries, led by the UK and Spain, to write in open letter in support of the US' hardline policy on Iraq.
"What we are going through at the moment is a lesson for Europe. And I have to say: Germany and France were originally responsible for it," said Amato, who is also a former Italian prime minister.
"Berlin and Paris forgot[Oh, I wouldn't say they'd forgotten exactly...--Jen] to seek support for their position in the European Union," Amato was quoted as saying in the German daily.
"The necessary harmony in Europe can't be created the same way it was 40 or 50 years ago. At the time, Franco-German relations were a central pillar of everything," said Amato.
"It remains important, but today it is no longer good enough for them to announce a position and then expect the others to sign it," he said.
"The method used by Paris and Berlin was harmful, almost counter-productive. We no longer live in a Europe of six states, we are de-facto already 25. This is another world."

And there was this today, too, from another capital of New Europe:
Spain's Palacio warns France, Germany against unilateralism

Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio has warned France and Germany to steer clear of unilateralism and urged them to take more account of the positions of other European nations and NATO ally, the US.

In an article published in the Spanish daily ABC, Palacio said last month's Franco-German declaration, published to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty, was not exempt from " a whiff of unilateralism".

She noted that the declaration contained several projects -- a harmonisation of law between the two countries, dual Franco-German nationality, and a bilateral common foreign policy strategy -- which could only be welcome as part of a broader EU framework.

For a "convinced European, it is not possible to read the Franco-German declaration without being startled," Palacio commented.

France and Germany must "continue to play an essential role in the EU and make real non-judgemental proposals for integration, which do not ignore the role which Europe and the United States must play together on the world stage in the 21st century," she said.

Bravo, Senore Amato!
Viva Signora Palacio!
Ah, those hot-blooded Latin members of New Europe--Gotta love 'em.
France and Germany, time to duck and cover!
Ha-ha!