Mr John Bruton presented his credentials as the European Union's ambassador to the US yesterday at a critical time in their relationship.
He met President Bush in Washington while the outgoing Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, was appealing for a renewal of transatlatic relations in Brussels, on the day news emerged that Mr Bush will meet EU and NATO leaders at a summit on February 22nd. Iraq continues to divide them deeply, but there is the possibility of greater co-operation on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on economics, trade and investment and on relations with Russia following this week's agreement to rerun the election in Ukraine.
The neo-conservative commentator Robert Kagan accurately observes that the Ukraine episode represents "a flagrant act of transatlantic co-operation" after the deep gulf caused by the invasion of Iraq last year. He says the Bush administration must draw the appropriate conclusions from the EU's growing ability to mediate conflict peacefully on its eastern and southern borders with Russia and former Soviet states and with the Middle East. A new strategic bargain would have to recognise such realities as well as the US's predominant world role.
At the NATO meeting in Brussels yesterday there was no inclination by European states to send troops to Iraq ahead of the elections planned for January. But there is a clear willingness to repair damaged transatlantic relations and a growing debate about the best ways to do so. Even those who say the relationship must be recast to reflect diverging values on the use of force, international law and the role of religion recognise there are fundamental interests in common between Europe and the United States in a more uncertain and unstable world.
Mr Bruton therefore takes up his new post at a crucial time, when there are many opportunities to develop and change the transatlantic relationship. He was chosen because of his own political experience and skills and the success of Irish politicians in making contacts with and influencing congressional as well as executive opinion, based on the large Irish-American constituency in the US. His extensive experience with European affairs and engaging personality will help him communicate these new concerns. Washington is becoming more aware of the EU's growing regional and world role and greater political coherence. This is notwithstanding the continuing centrality of bilateral relations between the US and EU states and the temptation to bypass Brussels or exploit EU divisions to achieve US objectives.
The difficulties facing Mr Bruton should not be underestimated. These divisions have been a long time coming and cannot be easily overcome, even if there is a much greater willingness to do so. Mr Bush's appointments for his second term signal more continuity than change from the unilateral cast of his first one, however much his policy is adjusted to new realities. But the two men's cordial exchanges yesterday augur well for a fruitful personal engagement.