By Martin Banks - 27th May 2009
The fact is that the US still shoulders a disproportionate burden when it comes to mobilising forces in the world's trouble spots
Jamie Shea
A conference in Brussels has heard that the EU "must do more" in global trouble spots like Afghanistan.
Speaking at the conference on Wednesday, senior Nato official Jamie Shea said, "It is all very well for the EU and its member states to welcome the new American administration of Barack Obama but it really needs to put its words into practice.
"The fact is that the US still shoulders a disproportionate burden when it comes to mobilising forces in the world's trouble spots and the EU has got to do more to share in this burden," said Shea, who is head of policy planning division at Nato.
His comments were echoed by EPP centre-right politician Elmar Brok, a candidate in the upcoming European elections and former chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee.
He said, "I agree that the EU should do more. But, equally, the EU should have a greater say with the US when it comes to decision making on how and where forces are deployed."
He added, "Europe needs to speak with one voice in the international arena. This is what our global partners and citizens expect from us.
"Transatlantic relations are a cornerstone of our external policy and steps should be taken to strengthen them."
Both Shea and Brok were keynote speakers at the debate on uniting Europe on the world stage, which took place at the representation of Baden-Wurttemberg to the EU.
• Brok took part in the debate despite being involved in a road smash in Germany in which the driver of his vehicle was seriously hurt. Brok escaped the accident with minor injuries.
