EU appeal for global partnership with US on equal terms

[tocqueville]

European Union draws up letter to new U.S. leader
Mon Nov 3, 2008 3:39pm EST
By Crispian Balmer

MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) - The European Union has prepared a letter for the next U.S. president, seeking more involvement for the 27-nation EU in resolving world problems, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Monday.

The six-page document will be dispatched after the winner of Tuesday's election emerges and Kouchner said the EU hoped for close ties with the new administration.

...............

"I know that the two candidates have turned their gaze on Europe and have shown their interest in seeing our two sides of the Atlantic working together," he said, referring to Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

"The United States will remain a very important country. I don't say a dominant power, but a great power," he said.

European leaders are looking to assert themselves following the leading role played by the continent this year, including decisive action to ease the financial turmoil and directing negotiations to end the fighting between Russia and Georgia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4A267Q20081103



Le Monde :

Les Européens proposent un partenariat d'égal à égal au prochain président des Etats-Unis

"Nous sommes les partenaires des Américains, a déclaré le chef de la diplomatie française, Bernard Kouchner, et nous le ferons savoir au plus vite au nouveau président quand il sera élu." "Il ne s'agit pas seulement de demander des choses aux Etats-Unis : il s'agit pour l'Europe de prendre toute sa place", a renchéri son collègue britannique, David Miliband. Autrement dit : ne vous demandez pas ce que les Etats-Unis peuvent faire pour l'Europe, demandez-vous ce que l'Europe peut faire pour les Etats-Unis, pour paraphraser le président Kennedy dans les années 1960.

http://www.lemonde.fr/elections-americaines/article/2008/11/04/les-europeens-proposent-un-partenariat-d-egal-a-egal-au-prochain-president-des-etats-unis_1114399_829254.html#ens_id=1113390

David Miliband UK Foreign Minister : "It's not only about asking things from the US : it's to Europe to take it's whole place"

Well, Obama we are waiting for your answer...

[RB TexLa]

1. We'll see if the US joins the world 5, 10, or 15 years too late.