21 February 2003
U.S., Europe Share Same Goals, U.S. Envoy to EU Says
(Schnabel says differences are over approach to goals) (2120)
Europeans and Americans have many common goals and are "forces for
good" in the world, despite some disagreement over U.S. policies in
Iraq, the Middle East and various homeland security measures,
according to Rockwell Schnabel, U.S. ambassador to the European Union.
"Where opinions differ is in the approach to these goals," he told a
panel in Brussels February 21 on "Europe and the U.S.: Weakness vs.
Strength?"
"If we manage our differences over tactics in a constructive way and
keep the focus on our common objectives, we can accomplish a great
deal," Schnabel said, citing the "extraordinary" cooperation between
the EU and the U.S. in fighting terrorism, enhancing police
cooperation, and working together in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
"When we focus on our common objectives, it makes us look at actions,
not rhetoric. And if you look at our actions, I think you see that the
EU and the US are the two greatest 'forces for good' in the world,"
said Schnabel, who was participating, with European Commissioner Mario
Monti, in a panel organized by the Centre for European Policy Studies.
Following is the text to Schnabel's remarks as provided by the U.S.
Mission to the European Union:
(begin text)
Centre for European Policy Studies
Brussels, Belgium
Feb. 21, 2003
ROCKWELL SCHNABEL, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
REMARKS TO CEPS INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Introduction
I certainly am well aware, as I travel, of the concerns and
differences that Europeans -- inside and outside of government -- have
with the US-EU relationship. When I was in Strasbourg last week, I
heard from many members of Parliament who let me know they disagree
with what the US is doing with our Iraq policy, the Middle East and
our homeland security measures.
Of course I listened and reported these observations back to
Washington. But you know, I tend to look at these differences with a
longer-term perspective. Some historic changes are affecting the way
we work together as partners.
- Europe is expanding, as a political and economic union and as a
power on the world stage.
- The changes in Europe demand adaptations by all of us. Just as the
changes are creating strains in the politics of Europe, it is no
surprise that our relationship with you is experiencing growing pains
that must be addressed.
- Many issues require our thoughtful attention as partners. In fact, I
would say that the daily task of our Mission is to hear the European
Union's concerns about our policies, explain our rationale for doing
things, and find ways to resolve any differences in approach.
I'd like to share with you briefly my views on:
- The fundamentals of the relationship;
- Finding common ground in such difficult issues as Iraq;
- And focusing on practical outcomes.
The Fundamentals of US-EU Relations
Let me give you my view on that much-discussed topic: Can the US and
the EU actually get along?
- It is often repeated that the U.S. and Europe share the same values.
Our common history and shared experiences in two World Wars has
crafted a bond that runs deeper than cooperation between the
governments of the day.
- But the strength of our relationship is, and must be, about much
more than shared democratic values. It is about shared objectives: we
want the same things to happen in the world.
- Our societies share the same key foreign policy goals. Just look at
the results of recent surveys on our public attitudes:
-- We both favor a stronger role for the EU in international affairs.
-- We agree international terrorism followed by Iraq and its
development of WMD are the most important threats we face.
-- We are equally enthusiastic in support of global institutions -
especially the United Nations.
-- We view NATO an essential element in our security.
- Where opinions differ is in the approach to these goals. If we
manage our differences over tactics in a constructive way and keep the
focus on our common objectives, we can accomplish a great deal.
- As an example, our work together against the forces of terrorism has
been extraordinary in many different areas: diplomacy, financing,
police cooperation, airline safety, and so on.
- When we focus on our common objectives, it makes us look at actions,
not rhetoric. And if you look at our actions, I think you see that the
EU and the US are the two greatest "forces for good" in the world.
Finding common ground in difficult policies
- Let me describe to you where I see our common interests in the
current important policy issues.
Iraq
- On Iraq: We are united in seeking to disarm the Iraqi regime. We are
both working within the UNSC. This remains our starting point.
This week's extraordinary EU summit accomplished something very
crucial. The leaders kept the pressure exactly where it should be: on
Saddam Hussein. The more we present a united front in the
international community, the more likely we are to take those deadly
weapons out of his hands.
- The US has not set any timetable for Iraqi compliance. But giving
the inspectors more time will make little difference, if the Iraqi
regime continues to refuse to take steps on its own to disarm, and
verify that disarmament.
- Even so, war with Iraq is not inevitable, as President Bush has
said. We would prefer to bring Iraq into compliance diplomatically and
peacefully. This is a more likely outcome if Saddam is convinced he
has no hope of dividing the international community in its
determination to disarm him.
- None of us want a war. Having grown up in Nazi-occupied Holland, I
know the pain of war. But sometimes we have to stand up and make the
tough judgments.
- If force were eventually used, the U.S. goal afterwards would be to
help the Iraqis rebuild their country - a concern we share with the
EU.
Middle East
- The Quartet mechanism has provided focus for the international
community's efforts to bring peace in the Middle East. The Quartet's
"roadmap" provides a way forward to achieve President Bush's vision of
two states living together side-by-side in peace.
- Israel does have a right to defend itself, but at the same time it
needs to take effective steps to prevent civilian casualties and ease
the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza.
- It is clear that the US and the EU have some differences in what we
think are the most effective ways to achieve our goals. But this is
yet another case where we cannot let differences over tactics somehow
distract us from the fact that we share the same goals.
- And we all agree that only an end to violence and terror, including
real security reform and sustained, effective security performance
from the Palestinians will enable us to progress. To build the
institutions for Palestinian statehood, we will continue working with
the EU and other donors to support Palestinian political, civil and
economic reform.
War against terrorism
- As I said earlier, this is an area where we have taken many actions
together, and with great success.
- Just this week, in fact, we had a breakthrough on the issue of
Passenger Name Records-- the passing of personal data on travelers to
US Customs to help prevent terrorists and other criminals from
entering the US by air. We have an interim arrangement with the
Commission to provide that data, while they work out how the
requirements of EU data protection law can be met. A practical
solution to an urgent security concern for both sides.
- We have signed two agreements with Europol on cooperating to fight
organized crime and terrorism globally. These accords, include the
exchange of personal data, and sharing of strategic information,
including criminal trend analysis and forensics.
- We are also working hard on an unprecedented agreement on Mutual
Legal Assistance and Extradition that would add value to the current
bilateral agreements we have with Member States.
- We see the real results of our cooperation every day -- with the
help of the EU and other governments, we have blocked over $120
million in terrorist assets, we have deterred donors and supporters
from providing financial aid to terrorist groups, we have improved law
enforcement coordination in ways that have led directly to arrests and
disruption of actual cells involved in planning attacks.
- The issues we refer to as Homeland Security are another where we
share common goals -- ensuring that our populations can live, trade
and travel in safety. We have had good coordination on measures to
improve safety in the shipping of containers and to make air travel
more secure. We do take seriously EU concerns about our efforts in
this area having unintended consequences, but ask that our concern to
move quickly be understood.
Other Areas
- In other areas, such as the Balkans, proliferation concerns in North
Korea, addressing conflict in Africa, or rebuilding Afghanistan we are
perhaps even closer in not just our shared objectives, but our tactics
for achieving them.
Economic Issues
- The logic of shared objectives also explains much of the work we do
together in the economic sphere. We share the same goals in
competition policy and in financial regulation.
Again, there are differences on how best to achieve these goals.
That's a big part of what keeps me busy! But the experience of the
past few months has reinforced the message that we can coordinate our
approaches. We support the Commission's efforts to liberalize
telecommunications sector, for example. We see it as important as a
way to bring greater competition into market, especially for new
entrants. - On other competition issues, Department of Justice
officials have exchanged strategies and best practices with their EU
counterparts. And the head of SEC has visited Brussels to discuss the
recently passed Sarbanes-Oxley bill.
Biotechnology
- Let me apply this same logic to another issue in the headlines:
biotechnology. We must find a way to resolve our divisions on this
emerging science - to agree on shared objectives.
- We think this is important for the sake not only of technological
advance, but also for those around the world who could benefit from
the products of biotechnology.
- There are scientific and humanitarian issues at stake. The
developing world cannot afford pseudo-science to take the place of
real scientific findings on the benefits and risks of GMOs. This is
having real costs around the world.
- We've made our views clear on the EU's moratorium on biotechnology
approvals for four years. It significantly hurts our trade with Europe
and, we believe, violates agricultural trade rules. Our goal is to
resolve this issue as expeditiously as possible.
Focusing on Outcomes
- While we are each other's best partner on the whole range of issues
we face, none of it comes easy. Partnership is hard work.
- We have an enormous array of meetings to do that work, and my
Mission is constantly hosting Administration officials from
Washington. Energy Secretary Abraham, for example, will be here in
March to discuss the hydrogen economy with his counterparts.
- But, as you know, it is also important that groups other than U.S.
administration officials and Member State government or Commission
officials get involved in the U.S.-EU relationship.
- While in Washington in December, I heard from many people who
supported the formation of a Congressional EU Caucus. Discussions are
only preliminary at this stage, but we have been working with the
European Parliament to enlarge the dialogue between our respective
legislative bodies with regular exchange visits. - At the
Transatlantic Business Dialogue in Chicago last November, alongside
Commerce Secretary Evans and Commissioners Lamy and Liikanen, I
listened to real-life problems raised by business from both sides of
the Atlantic. We are working with both U.S. and European CEOs on many
pressing issues - chemical regulation, for one, where we are
attempting to reduce the costs of these EU-proposed regulations while
maintaining our shared objective to safeguard the environment.
Conclusion
- In short, the U.S.-EU global partnership is different from any in
history, sharing 50% of the global economy and a $1.4 trillion a year
trade and investment relationship. Our businesses, companies and firms
are certainly economic competitors, but that is all to the good for us
and our publics in terms of economic growth.
- But we are not political competitors, much less rival superpowers.
And that is not only because we share the same values, but we have the
same goals on issue after issue, and crisis after crisis, across the
globe. That should be the focus of our work.
Thank you.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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