Europe Reiterates Its Ambition to Build Independent Defense

European leaders on Saturday expressed their aspirations to strengthen Europe's weight in trans-Atlantic alliance and seek independent defense.

It's urgent to build Europe's own security and defense structure, NATO Secretary General George Robertson told the 37th Munich Security Conference, saying that "an efficient Europe will be a better partner for U.S.A."

EU Foreign Policy Representative Javier Solana said that to create Europe's independent security construction won't lead to tensions with the U.S.A. "It is not only a hope, but is turning into reality," Solana said.

German leader Gerhard Schroeder sent a strong message at the conference to the new U.S. administration asserting Europe's voice in global security.

"We must learn to deal responsibly with occasional differences of opinion and different interests," he said.

"Europe must have the capability to react independently to crises," he emphasized. It should be "a strong partner to the U.S.in dealing jointly with global challenges."

Amid U.S. adherence to its proposed National Missile Defense (NMD) system, European leaders openly voiced their suspicions. Schroeder expressed his concerns over the missile plans, demanding to hold "intensive talks" with the U.S. government.

"There are no clear explanations over the missile plans yet," The German leader said, "Firstly something must be clarified to know what impacts the project will have on the relationship with Russia and China."

U.S. officials expressed their worries over a splitting trans-Atlantic defense alliance.

"The strains affecting the North Atlantic alliance are considerable. The issues that confront us go to the very core of our existence as an alliance," U.S. Senator John McCain said.

"Fundamental questions regarding the future of NATO stand before us," the Republican told the annual Munich conference.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that he was open-minded about the EU force, but warned it must not threaten NATO's power or status.






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