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I wholeheartedly concur with Stuart Eizenstat that more co-operation between the US and the EU, as well as with the rest of Europe, is necessary to address the challenges of the 21st century (“Wanted: a new framework for US-EU relations”, Opinion, July 31).
I also agree that co-ordination is necessary rather than maintaining military and economic security, and prosperity in separate silos because they are interrelated. However, I disagree with the ambassador’s assertion that “a new transatlantic framework between the US and EU, comparable to Nato, is needed.” The formation of yet another body would divert attention from the important tasks at hand, squander time and deplete the available resources. Instead, we should use the organisations that already exist. Therefore, the EU and Nato should broaden and improve their co-ordination on security-related matters.
In the Nato Parliamentary Assembly, formerly known as the North Atlantic Assembly, we have long pushed for greater ties between the EU and Nato. Additionally, we have brought up and will continue to emphasise the necessity of co-operation in a variety of security-related fields, including those involving business, finance and technology.
We discuss these issues with our colleagues from the European parliament, who regularly participate in our sessions.
But the decision to strengthen co-operation is primarily made in the capitals and in the European Commission. They need to follow up.
Joe Weingarten
Member, German Bundestag
Rapporteur, Nato Parliamentary Assembly, Berlin, Germany
