“The EU has no other partner with which it has such a close and varied relationship. This is why a solid, sustainable transatlantic relationship is a central concern for each EU Presidency. We are indispensable partners for each other who bear global responsibility”, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said in the European Parliament in Brussels on 31 May. The plenary session of the European Parliament addressed the subjects of the transatlantic relationship and Guantánamo.
Plassnik made reference to the close economic relationship and the ongoing cooperation with the US on international questions, such as Belarus and the Western Balkans. “Our cooperation on the presidential election in Belarus was positive. We both stood up for free and fair elections, and coordinated policy on imposing travel restrictions and targeted financial sanctions”, said Plassnik. The US and the EU are also pursuing common goals in the Western Balkans. “We agree on the necessity of a European and a Euro-Atlantic perspective for the West Balkan states, and we are convinced that cooperation based on equality between the EU and NATO in the security policy area is essential”, she stated.
Plassnik also made reference to the EU-US cooperation on Iran and the EU-3 meeting with the US, Russia and China in Vienna on 1 June. “Together, we are pursuing a diplomatic solution. At the summit in Vienna, an offer is to be made that will enable Iran to use nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes. At the same time, we must be absolutely certain that the nuclear programme in Iran is not pursuing other objectives”, said the Foreign Minister. In this connection, she mentioned the declaration by American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, according to which the US will take its place at the table alongside its EU-3 colleagues and will meet with Iranian representatives as soon as Iran completely and demonstrably stops its enrichment and reprocessing programmes. “That is a very important signal. We hope that with the active participation of the US, we can succeed in establishing a new cooperative relationship with Iran”, Plassnik declared.
With reference to the forthcoming EU-US summit in Vienna, the Foreign Minister noted the positive development of the transatlantic relationship in the past year, saying that the Austrian Presidency will build on this dynamic and provide new impetus. “This includes, among other things, increased cooperation in the worldwide promotion of peace, democracy and human rights, a new dialogue on energy security, the objective of an air transport agreement and a focus on the enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries”, said Plassnik.
The plenary session of the European Parliament also debated the prison camp at Guantánamo. “The common values that bring together the US and Europe must be safeguarded, particularly in light of the challenge of international terrorism. We must be certain that in the fight against terrorism we do not put at risk our democratic institutions and processes based on the rule of law. For a country like the US that is committed to freedom, the rule of law and regular court proceedings, Guantánamo is an anomaly. For this reason, we consider that the US should take measures towards closing the camp as quickly as possible, said Plassnik, adding that this subject would also be addressed at the forthcoming EU-US summit in Vienna.
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