France proposes transatlantic charter
France has proposed the creation of a transatlantic charter aimed to calm often tense relations between Europe and the US and launch a fresh attempt to improve co-operation.
Paris hopes the document will form the basis of a novel European-American partnership by setting out a new framework for dialogue, highlighting areas of better co-operation, and improving procedures for the better "management of differences", as the French put it.
Join EUobserver today
Get the EU news that really matters
Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.
Choose your plan
... or subscribe as a group
Already a member?
The idea was described on Thursday, (28 August) by French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin during a speech to France's assembled ambassadors.
The minister presented the foreign policy priorities for the next year and thought after the Iraq crisis, there was a need to redefine the nature of the transatlantic partnership.
The charter would be based on the same values shared by Europeans and Americans and "complementary elements to be exploited", quoting Mr de Villepin.
Tthe French Foreign Minister however, did stress once again, that the UN should play a leading role in Iraq.
"Our response to threats may differ on points; our conception of the role of the UN is not always the same," he added. The minister also spoke in favour of a UN reform that would give the organisation the necessary means and support to "solve the world's problems".
But according to The Guardian newspaper, the French are not too optimistic about American reaction to the proposal.
Guillaume Parmentier, the director of the French Centre on the United States, quoted by The Guardian, said the US was not ready to be constrained in any of its actions by a new diplomatic charter."