Europe and America Take Stock

European and American officials meet today to check up on an intimate transatlantic relationship that has drifted apart from the immediate solidarity following September’s terrorist attacks.

The highlight of the annual one-day summit in Washington is a meeting between European Commission President Roman Prodi, Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency and America President George W. Bush. Topics in the 20-minute Thursday meeting are expected to span the list of current disagreements burdening the otherwise close alliance.

American policy in the Middle East, the next steps in the United States war on terror and the country’s protectionist trade policies have raised the hackles of European leaders in recent months.

Middle East and Iraq Two-Step

Politicians in France and Germany, in particular, have been critical of America’s lenient approach to halting Israeli military action in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in recent weeks. When tit-for-tat violence in the troubled region reached a crisis point, Brussels said US policy in the region was not working and announced it would step in.

The tension eased – at least a bit – last week following Secretary of State Colin Powell’s unsuccessful attempt at mediation in the region. European leaders, among them German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, praised his efforts even as anti-Israel marches continued in European cities.

It will be tougher negotiating the next steps in America’s self-titled War on Terror. Europe’s most powerful countries, though against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein (photo), have warned against "an adventure" by American and British forces in Iraq. The United States, on the other hand, appears to be resolute in their desire to unseat Hussein, most likely with military action.

Fundamental differences

Also on the War on Terror agenda is how to handle terror suspects arrested in Europe but wanted in the United States.

Disagreements on capital punishment have been a perpetual thorn in the relationship. The European Union’s anti-death penalty stance has been a constant hindrance in law enforcement cooperation between the two sides. The disagreement popped up most recently following the transfer of suspected terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui from France to the United States.

US Attorney General John Ashcroft announced at the end of March that he would seek the death penalty against the man prosecutors believe was supposed be the 20th hijacker in the September 11 attacks. France’s justice minister responded by saying she would limit cooperation between French authorities and American prosecutors on the case.

Transatlantic trade is expected to be among the thorniest of issues. US and EU trade officials have organized meetings for Wednesday and Friday to discuss a host of spats over everything from agricultural subsidies to steel.

Not many concrete decisions or compromises are expected to come out of the summit, if for no other reason than its brevity. Still, both EU and US officials are looking forward to the meeting.

"Out objective is to take stock of progress achieved, take matters further and to look for solutions on difficult issues," Prodi told reporters before he left.