Frosty Anglo-French ties move toward normalization

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Frosty Anglo-French ties move toward normalization

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

British Prime Minister Tony Blair met Monday with visiting French President Jacques Chirac for the 26th Anglo-French summit talks, which focus on post-war Iraq, European Union (EU) affairs, the Middle East peace process and bilateral issues.

Describing the summit as "productive", Blair told reporters at a joint press conference with Chirac that both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to the economic growth in Europe, the development of Africa and to the Kyoto Protocol as an essential step towards global action on climate change.

Chirac, whose relations with Blair soured over their dispute on Iraq, said the strength between the two countries would be shown in celebrations next year for the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, a treaty signed in London on April 8, 1904.

Analysts here said both Britain and France are expressing their willingness to stress their common stand, trying to desalt their disputes.

In a summit communique issued after the talks between the two leaders, both Blair and Chirac repeated their resolve to do everything possible to confront terrorism and recommit their countries to the closest possible cooperation to this end.

Vowing to work closely together to ensure the success of the Intergovernment Conference on the EU constitution, the two sides also agreed that European common defense should be consistent withthe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Europe should maintain the ability to develop its own defense, but it should not be at odds with NATO, Blair told reporters.

Echoing Blair, Chirac said France's view of the EU defense was in no way to contradict with NATO. "France has no problem with NATO...Neither the Germans nor the French wish to take any kind of initiative which contradicts NATO which...is at the heart of our defense system."

In a bid to show unity on the EU defense, Blair and Chirac announced agreement on plans for a small rapid-reaction force of European peacekeepers to assist UN troops.

"The EU should be capable and willing to deploy in an autonomous operation within 15 days to respond to a crisis. The aim should be coherent and credible battle-group sized forces, each around 1,500 troops," offered by a single nation or a group of nations, the communique said, adding that the two countries remain committed to continuing their bilateral cooperation in the naval field.

On foreign policy, Britain and France said they are committed to preserving the central role of the United Nations in addressing challenges facing the international community.

In an effort to calm relations, the two governments announced their plans to celebrate the centenary of the Entente cordiale agreements in 2004. British Queen Elizabeth II would play a three-day state visit to France from April 5 next year to mark the official start of celebrations, while Chirac would pay a return visit to Britain in the Autumn next year to mark the final closing of the commemorative events.

Blair and Chirac held their last bilateral summit in February at Le Touquet, a resort town on the French side of the English Channel, before the US-led war against Iraq, which Britain joined and France opposed.

France was the most implacable opponent of the Iraq war and Anglo-French relations hit a low in the build-up to the conflict, when Britain accused France of undermining a UN resolution authorizing military action.

The dispute between London and Paris was just an epitome of the row between "the new Europe" and "the old Europe".

As the work on a new European Constitution is under way, both sides have realized that dispute over Iraq has damaged the process of European integration, and have thus begun efforts to bring their relationship back on track.

Yet, analysts noticed that after the summit, differences remained over Iraq's transition to democracy and plans for a European Union defense force.

On Iraq, Chirac called for a speedier transfer of power to the Iraqis, stressing that the US proposal on speeding up power transfer was the right approach, but incomplete as it did not specify the UN role in rebuilding Iraq.

On the establishment of a European military headquarters independent of NATO, Blair said it was important to make sure what European countries have as the practical operation of European defense did not conflict with NATO.

Analysts pointed out that as Britain, which pursues a "twin pillar" foreign policy of being a bridge between Europe and the United States, follows the United States too closely over Iraq, European countries such France and Germany have doubted its "loyalty" to Europe.

Disputes between Britain and France can not be solved once for all, said analysts who also pointed out their competition for leadership in Europe.

People have to wait to see if London and France would settle their disputes and work together to promote the European integration, analysts said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Blair, Chirac agree on European force

Trade move by US government is 'poll ploy': Opinion ( 9 Messages)

Bush's UK visit fails to meet his wishes: Commentary ( 5 Messages)

The cause of China-US trade disputes ( 18 Messages)

Internet changes life in China: News focus ( 17 Messages)

Why China's first textbook on sex not used? ( 7 Messages)

US should be straight on 'one-China' policy ( 34 Messages)