Can We Believe in Change? A View from Europe

When this article will be published, the 44th President of the United States of America will have been elected by the American citizens. Europe and the rest of the World awaits for the November 4th results, hoping that the slogan of 'Change' will soon become practice. The eight years-long administration of George W.Bush did not improve the Euro-Atlantic relations; on the contrary, it was step back, contributing to the distortion of America's political image in the world. According to trusty inquiries*, under the Bush Presidency 'anti-Americanism' is widely reached new heights, the deeper and broader than at any time in modern history. The Iraq War Policy in 2003 was distractive, as a result of the 'hawkish', imperialistic, view of International Politics.

The new President has the opportunity to reverse the status created by the Bush administration, to cooperate closely with its European allies and to show the relevant respect to International organisations (e.g. United Nations), taking collective and not unilateral decisions. Traditionally, the relation between Europe and the United States is of great importance for world diplomatic issues. Their shared and common values are inextricably connected with the principles of Democracy, Freedom, respect of Human and Civil Rights. That has been confirmed many times in the past; during the two World Wars, the Cold War, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, the fall of the Berlin Wall and most recently during the difficult times of September 11th.

Τhe issue of 'Security' was always in the very heart of the Euro-Atlantic relations. We must not forget that the European Coal and Steel Community was launched in a period when the U.S. presence in Europe was very strong, just two years after the establishment of the North-Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Many decades have passed since the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan but Europeans do not forget America's contribution to their continent's resurgence from the distraction of the two World Wars. Moreover, the United States owe the creation of their powerful multinational social entity to those Europeans who wholesalely emigrated to the States during the 20th century, creating hardworking communities and strengthening the 'American Dream'.

The European Union of the 27 member-states, through its enlargements towards Eastern Europe and the Baltic states contributes significantly to the enhancement of Stability and Democracy in the broader region which is crucial for the U.S. interests. Today, Brussels and Washington collaborate in many fields of international politics, from the Transatlantic Economic Council to matters regarding Climate Change and Energy Security. That cooperation must be protected and moreover expanded, as long as there are significant political issues which need solutions. There are open, difficult, challenges for both Europe and America, such as the recent Economic crisis, the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the battle against terrorism, the consolidation of Democracy and Stability in regions such as the Middle East and the Balkan peninsula. Furthermore, there is a need for a balanced energy policy, in collaboration with emerging superpowers like Russia and China. Its not easy but also not impossible.

However, neither the United States of America, nor Europe, can solve the above challenges alone. A cooperation is needed, having as a base the shared principles which have been proved as the unifying elements of the traditional Euro-American friendship. Its about time for Washington to rethink the blind inconsiderate policies and bring at the forefront of its Foreign Policy agenda the word 'collaboration'. It would be therefore wrong if the European perspective of international politics is not taken into account in the United States, as it happened during the Bush presidency. There is a common destiny for America and Europe and that's to work together for a better future. I sincerely hope that Barack Obama and Joe Biden understand that need and will do their best to fulfil it.

* The Economist, February 19-25, 2005 Issue.