Spying on allies: EU wants new deal with US to end spying row
The aim should be to agree on rules for intelligence gathering rather than a pointless confrontation.
The aim should be to agree on rules for intelligence gathering rather than a pointless confrontation. PHOTO: FILE
BRUSSELS:
European leaders have said that they want a new deal with Washington to end a damaging spy row so as to keep an essential alliance and the fight against terrorism on track.
The aim should be to agree on rules for intelligence gathering rather than seek a pointless confrontation, Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo said on Friday.
“The objective must remain the same — to fight against terrorism but also respect privacy,” Di Rupo said as he arrived for the second day of an EU leaders’ summit which has been dominated by revelations of US spying operations across Europe.
“Everyone can understand the need for exceptional measures given the danger of terrorism ... but we are not in the position where we should spy on each other,” he said.
France and Germany are to try to reach an understanding with Washington by year’s end on intelligence gathering. A statement approved by all 28 EU leaders — including Britain which has tight intelligence links with the United States — noted “the close relationship between Europe and the US and the value of that partnership”.
This must “be based on respect and trust,” a lack of which “could prejudice the necessary cooperation in the field of intelligence gathering”. The EU leaders “stressed that intelligence gathering is a vital element in the fight against terrorism,” the statement added.
Revelations of US covert surveillance, topped by reports of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone being tapped, have sparked outrage in Europe. Spying between friends, that’s just not the way, said Merkel. “We need trust between partners and such trust needs to be re-established,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2013.
European leaders have said that they want a new deal with Washington to end a damaging spy row so as to keep an essential alliance and the fight against terrorism on track.
The aim should be to agree on rules for intelligence gathering rather than seek a pointless confrontation, Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo said on Friday.
“The objective must remain the same — to fight against terrorism but also respect privacy,” Di Rupo said as he arrived for the second day of an EU leaders’ summit which has been dominated by revelations of US spying operations across Europe.
“Everyone can understand the need for exceptional measures given the danger of terrorism ... but we are not in the position where we should spy on each other,” he said.
France and Germany are to try to reach an understanding with Washington by year’s end on intelligence gathering. A statement approved by all 28 EU leaders — including Britain which has tight intelligence links with the United States — noted “the close relationship between Europe and the US and the value of that partnership”.
This must “be based on respect and trust,” a lack of which “could prejudice the necessary cooperation in the field of intelligence gathering”. The EU leaders “stressed that intelligence gathering is a vital element in the fight against terrorism,” the statement added.
Revelations of US covert surveillance, topped by reports of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone being tapped, have sparked outrage in Europe. Spying between friends, that’s just not the way, said Merkel. “We need trust between partners and such trust needs to be re-established,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2013.