Europe's Role in Middle East Under Fire

Official newspaper Al-Thawra has slammed Europe’s stance towards the region following French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s recent meeting with US president Barack Obama.



Obama met his French counterpart in Normandy on June 6, and held private talks before commemorating the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.



In a June 8 editorial, Asaad Aboud noted that Sarkozy’s statements to reporters following the meeting – in which he called on Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank – merely echoed US positions and showed the continent’s dependence on the Americans when implementing its foreign policies.



Aboud said that Europe lacked “independence, initiative and effectiveness” in its dealings with the Middle East and accused it of waiting for Washington to bring about change there.



People in the Middle East expected a clearer position from Europe regarding their problems, in view of the historical and cultural ties between the two regions, said the report’s author.

Because of its colonial past, Europe has a responsibility towards people living in the area and should, therefore, play a stronger role in pursuing peace, he noted.



Aboud urged Europe to adopt a less neutral position and take more steps towards tackling injustice in this part of the world.