EUROPEAN COMMISSION chief José Manuel Barroso has called for a revival of Europe’s relationship with the US, saying the engagement is “not living up to its potential”.
In remarks that come amid efforts to reschedule an EU-US summit which was cancelled at the behest of President Barack Obama, Mr Barroso told the London Times that both sides should do more to promote their common interests.
“The transatlantic relationship is not living up to its potential. I think we should do much more together. We have conditions like we have never had before and it would be a pity if we missed the opportunity,” he said.
Asked how he planned to reach out to Mr Obama, Mr Barroso said effort was also required on the American side. “Of course it is a question of how the Americans are going to reach to us as well because the relationship should be perceived as mutual.”
While Mr Barroso called for deeper economic ties with the US, his remarks were interpreted as a reflection of EU frustration at perceived US ambivalence towards Europe.
Mr Obama delivered an apparent snub in February when he unilaterally cancelled a summit that had been tentatively scheduled to take place in Madrid in May. Although EU leaders downplayed their disappointment at the cancellation and the White House denied any snub, the move was seen in Brussels as a sign of US displeasure with the union’s policies on the environment and other issues.
At the time, high-level European officials linked Mr Obama’s decision to US frustration with Europe on questions as disparate as Afghanistan, other security matters and trade. They suggested the White House was unhappy that EU leaders pushed hard for a deeper climate deal at Copenhagen in December than Mr Obama would be able to concede in light of US political pressures. In the event, no Europeans were present when the US, China, Brazil, India and South America reached a modest accord.
Efforts are now under way to fix a date for an alternative summit, possibly in Washington some time in the autumn, but no definitive arrangement has been made.
There was no comment from the American diplomatic mission to the EU in Brussels on Mr Barroso’s remarks, although ambassador William E Kennard has repeatedly stressed in speeches the importance of the relationship.
In private, however, European diplomatic sources said US representatives have expressed frustration at the pace of reform initiatives under the Lisbon Treaty, which is designed to improve EU efficiency.