EU and US stage talks to fight terrorism despite differences

Date: 27/06/02

By Craig Winneker

US AND EU officials will begin preliminary talks tomorrow (28 June) aimed at reaching agreement on judicial cooperation in the war on terrorism, but differences remain over extradition of suspects.

Transatlantic efforts to increase law-enforcement coordination have intensified since the 11 September attacks on the US; and earlier this year EU ministers agreed on a negotiating mandate to reach an agreement with Washington.

They also hope for a deal in mid-July on the exchange of personal data.

'There are still some issues that divide us,' said a senior US diplomat, citing the long-standing concern in Europe over the death penalty, which is still on the books in America.

Diplomats from both the EU and US took part on Monday evening (24 June) in a regular meeting of the Senior Level Coordinating Group, at which the issue was among several discussed.

It is unclear how much progress can be made in tomorrow's talks, which take place on the last working day of the Spanish EU presidency.

Additionally, the US official said Washington had not yet staked out its own position on the death penalty issue.

'We want to get more information on the EU negotiating mandate,' he said.

Also at Monday night's video conference meeting, which included representatives from the US State Department, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the Spanish and Danish EU presidencies, Brussels and Washington agreed to increase cooperation on efforts to keep the peace between India and Pakistan.

American diplomats have made several trips to South Asia in recent weeks, and Javier Solana, the Union's foreign policy chief, is due to travel to the region in mid-July.

'We need to be coordinating our activities and our dialogue and our messages,' the US diplomat said. 'We will work closer, and increase the number of visits and attention paid to the area.'

But the two sides agreed to disagree on relations with Iran. The EU last week adopted a trade and cooperation agreement with Tehran, despite strong objections from Washington, which considers Iran to be part of a terror-sponsoring 'Axis of Evil'.

By increasing economic ties, EU leaders have said they hope to boost moderate political figures there.

'We think that's fine but we remain very concerned that Iran is involved in developing weapons of mass destruction and in funding terrorism,' the US diplomat said.

'We were assured that the EU shares our concern on proliferation.'

US and EU officials will begin preliminary talks on 28 June 2002 aimed at reaching agreement on judicial cooperation in the war on terrorism, but differences remain over extradition of suspects.