EU Disagrees With U.S.Concept on 'Axis of Evil'

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 10, 2002

EU Disagrees With U.S.Concept on 'Axis of Evil'

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The European Union (EU) expressed its disagreement on Saturday with the view of U.S. President George W. Bush made in his State of the Union speech to classify Iraq, Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as an "axis of evil."

The consensus was reached at the second day of the EU ministerial meeting in the Spanish town of Caceres.

EU foreign ministers said they would continue to negotiate an agreement of economic cooperation with the government of Iran.

They insisted that in face of challenges of international policy, the 15-nation bloc has to defend its principles, values and interests even though it has involved itself in the worldwide anti-terrorism campaign.

At the ministerial meeting the EU also differed from Washington on the Middle East issue.

The foreign ministers said they would press forward with the EU initiatives for a solution to the Middle East issue even if they are rejected by the United States.

They also said that there would be no progress in the Middle East peace process without the serious participation of the United States.

Noting "it is a zone that comes within the EU security arena," the foreign ministers said the EU would play a solid role in the Middle East peace process.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique said "it is very important that we go back to putting the Middle East issue at the center of our discussion."

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine told a news conference that "we want an association with the United States. But if we cannot work with them, then we have to advance without them."

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