WRITTEN QUESTION E-1766/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 June 2002)

Subject: EU/US relations in the light of a reduced commitment by Europe to fund defence expenditure

There has been increasing criticism in certain quarters in Europe of a perceived unilateralism in American foreign policy, a criticism that has not been altogether welcomed in the United States.

On 23 May 2002, the International Herald Tribune said: What Europe needs to do is to stop whining about US unilateralism and make itself a creditable heavyweight partner. adding that when Europe

speaks with one voice on foreign policy and puts its money where its mouth is on defence, America will take it seriously, not before.

Observing what it calls the dawning of a new age of close American-Russian co-operation, the German daily Die Welt observes that in the face of this new friendship between President Bush and President Putin Europe resembles an old man who cannot keep pace with the advance of new ideas. If it does not wish to be left behind, the paper says, Europe must re-arm, build up its military capability and play its part in the defence against global threats.

Does the Commission accept that the United States is much more likely to treat Europe as a full partner in the area of foreign policy if Europe is able to demonstrate a real commitment towards burden-sharing in defence, and, if so, does the Commission accept that until that moment arrives that accusations of unilateralism are likely not only to be resented but to be counterproductive?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2002)

It is plainly the case that the more the Union can contribute in the security field, including militarily, the more seriously it will be taken in the world. That is one reason why meeting the headline goals agreed at the Helsinki European Council is so important.

But it is also important to be clear about the scale of the contribution the Union is already making in international security operations. 39,000 troops from Union's Member States are currently keeping the peace in the Balkans, some 67 % of the total deployed in NATO operations. In Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force includes 3 500 troops from Union's Member States 68 % of the total. Troops from several Member States have also contributed to the combat operations against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Moreover, security is a wider concept. The Union, with its Member States, is a massive provider of development assistance, providing about 55 % of total international assistance and as much as two thirds of all grant aid. That too is a contribution to international security, in which the Union is playing a pivotal role.

The Commission does not accept that it is counterproductive to speak up when there are important disagreements with the United States: that is the duty of real friends and allies. In this ever more interconnected world, it is all the more important to work with those who share your values.

The Commissioner in charge of External Relations gave a detailed presentation on the issues raised by the Honourable Member in a speech on the European Union Foreign Policy and the Challenges of Globalisation at the Asia-Europe Foundation, in Singapore, on the 5 of April 2002. It is available on the Commission website(1).

(1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/news/patten/sp04_02global.htm.