The Hindu : A new axis takes shape in Europe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 20, 2004

International

International

A new axis takes shape in Europe

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, FEB. 19. The Berlin Summit of the "Big Three" — Germany, France and Britain — has concluded with its focus on the economy and the reform process in the European Union.

The decision of the "Big Three" to meet on their own has triggered a controversy and an Italian observer described the summit as a gathering of "the gang of three".

In a live press conference televised across Europe on Wednesday night, the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, denied that there was any covert agenda among the three nations, which are also the E.U.'s biggest economic powers.

Despite such assurances, their neighbours are deeply suspicious. It is argued that the post-Iraq war "German-French alliance" has lost its lustre and is no more rated as an axis point for leadership in the E.U. Britain's participation in the summit is surprising as its leadership had gone out of its way to reiterate the country's "special relationship with the Bush administration".

The three leaders said they wanted to give an impetus to the E.U.'s goal of becoming the world's biggest economic power and to successfully compete against the United States, which is a $11-trillion economy. Although the leaders of Germany and France disagreed with Mr. Blair over the war in Iraq, on Wednesday night they sought common ground on ways to boost the economic clout of the E.U. and to fight unemployment. One-tenth of the E.U.'s work force is currently unemployed or under-employed.

The three leaders called for a fresh package of structural reforms to boost employment and productivity. As Mr. Schroeder put it: "Europe has to set clear priorities in favour of economic growth and employment".

The leaders also stressed the need to invest more in research, higher education and training. They also laid the foundation for "unprecedented co-operation" among the three.

On May 1, the E.U. will expand to 25 members with the addition of 10 more nations.

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