U.S.'s Blinken says West needs to cooperate more than ever
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[March 25, 2021]
By Robin Emmott
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of
State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that cooperation between allies
was more important than at any time in recent history and that relations
with NATO and the European Union would be crucial to overcoming
challenges.
Speaking on the last day of his three-day visit to Brussels, Blinken
continued what many European officials said was a charm offensive to win
back the support of allies sidelined during four abrasive years under
the presidency of Donald Trump.
"I came here very much with one particular focus in mind, and that was
to make clear the United States' determination to revitalize our
alliances and partnerships," Blinken said.
"There's a greater premium than any time since I've been involved in
these issues, on finding ways to work together, again," said Blinken, a
long-time Biden confident involved in U.S. foreign policy for decades.
Blinken late on Wednesday won European Union support for a U.S. plan to
confront Chinese power together through a formal dialogue that Beijing
had hoped to avoid.
"A basic tenet of the Biden-Harris administration is consulting with our
friends, early and often," Blinken said, referring to U.S. President Joe
Biden, who will address EU leaders via video conference later on
Thursday.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is greeted by Belgium's
Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes at the Egmont Palace in Brussels,
Belgium, March 25, 2021. Virginia Mayo/Pool via Reuters
China's decision on Monday to retaliate strongly against Western
sanctions over human rights abuses has appeared to bring Europe and
the United States closer together. European governments have
summoned Chinese envoys to explain measures against EU nationals
that were seen as going far beyond what Brussels imposed.
"We're convinced that it is (through) enduring relationships, like
the one between our countries, and like the ones that exist through
the European Union and through NATO ... that we can overcome any of
these challenges," Blinken said alongside Belgium's foreign
minister.
Citing the "devastating" COVID-19 pandemic, Blinken also promised to
work with the EU and NATO on the global distribution of safe and
effective coronavirus vaccines, and to ensure they are prepared for
future pandemics.
While insisting the Europe did not have to choose between the United
States and China, Blinken insisted throughout his trip that the West
must show authoritarian states that democracy is a superior system,
to stand up for liberal values.
(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Catherine Evans)
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