The Atlantic rift” “

The war in Iraq and the divisions within Europe pose serious questions about the future relations between the European Union and the USA. While no one doubts in the value of the transatlantic alliance, it’s not realistic to think that the conflict – however short or long – will not leave unaltered the relations between Washington and many European capitals. To discuss these questions, SirEurope met Simon Petermann , head of the Department of Political Sciences of the Faculty of Jurisprudence at the University of Liège and special adviser for the Middle East to the Royal Institute of International Relations in Belgium. May the lack of agreement between EU member countries on common foreign and security policy hamper the process of European integration? “Europe is deeply divided on the Iraqi crisis. And we may deplore that. We need however to be realistic: common foreign and security policy does not yet exist in the EU, or at least is not yet in operation. Those who emphasize European disarray ought to draw lessons from the current crisis. Perhaps it represents an opportunity to re-launch a political and defensive Europe. In the last analysis, the EU has been built also through the successive crises by which it has been rocked. But certainly the achievement of a common foreign and security policy won’t be easy. It seems to me clear that the lack of agreement between the 15 will have negative repercussions on the work of the Convention and on the future intergovernmental Conference. Even now, some members consider it impossible to speak of foreign policy in a 25-member Union, so that the idea of a constitutional Treaty that permits ‘differentiations’ between member states is increasingly gaining ground. That means proceeding along the difficult road of a Europe of two or more speeds”. Is it possible to make any predictions about the future of transatlantic relations after the Iraqi conflict? “That’s difficult. The differences expressed between some European countries (France and Germany) and the USA will leave a scar, especially at the bilateral level. Everyone, however, is very conscious of the fact that world prosperity, security and stability are best guaranteed when Europeans and Americans work together. Everything will depend on the result of the war against Saddam Hussein. If the war is short and if the Anglo-American forces achieve their objectives, many European countries will want to be involved in the reconstruction of Iraq. But for that to happen it’s essential that the Americans be willing to ‘share out the cake’ of the contracts for reconstruction also with the European governments that have constantly hampered their plans. If we consider a still more catastrophic scenario, in which the Iraqis use chemical or other weapons of mass destruction, I can’t see how the USA’s traditional allies could remain passive, in spite of the hostility to the war among the majority of European public opinion”. Do you think that Europe could develop its own political and economic future in opposition to the USA? “I don’t think that’s possible. It’s desirable that the transatlantic link be reinforced, to be able to tackle new challenges in the world, international terrorism for one. Transatlantic relations would need, in any case, to be redefined. The European Union cannot be built in opposition to the USA. Let’s not forget, either, that America has a need for Europe (for example, at the level of trade) no less than Europe has a need for America. We share common values, in spite of the fact that the gulf that now divides the two shores of the Atlantic seems to be growing ever deeper and wider”.