Simon Tisdall (Guardian Utd): Time for Europe to believe in itself

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Friday November 19

Time for Europe to believe in itself
By Simon Tisdall

George Bush's re-election has provoked a flurry of European soul-searching about the transatlantic relationship and the EU's role in the world. What the US president's father called the "vision thing" is always challenging for politicians with short-term agendas dictated by electoral cycles.

Geopolitical architecture was the subject of yesterday's Guildhall speech by the French president, Jacques Chirac. "A world teetering between hope and chaos ... needs a strong Europe in a reforged transatlantic partnership," Mr Chirac said. It was necessary to recognise "the new reality of a multipolar and interdependent world".

Outlining his own global building scheme at Mansion House earlier this week, Tony Blair also spoke of shared values but placed greater emphasis on cooperation with the US. "Democracy is the meeting point for Europe and America," he said . . . .

Despite so many clashing perspectives, common ground is discernible. Most European governments hope for improved relations during Mr Bush's second term.

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