London, Nov 11: Prime Minister Tony Blair has reaffirmed Britain's commitment to the "twin pillars" of the United States and the European Union, ahead of a visit to London next week by US President George W. Bush.
"I want to reaffirm the twin pillars on which rest Britain's place in the world today: our alliance with America; our membership of the EU," Blair said at a banquet at London's City Hall yesterday.
"Both are necessary. Both complement each other," he said in an informal speech on Britain's foreign policy.
"This should astonish no-one. Europe and America share the same values; are bound inextricably by history and culture; and now more than ever, are into each others ribs in business, trade and commerce."
Blair also warned those in Europe who espouse anti-American feelings. "If Europe were to let anti-Americanism define its foreign policy it would be disaster," he said.



He flatly rejected the argument that Britain's alliance with the US was incompatible with its position in the EU and said there was "no sane alternative" to Europe and the US working together to rebuild peace after the war in Iraq.



"The blunt conclusion is that like it or not -- and I do (like it) -- the EU and US must work with each other," he said.



"Start from that point and a number of other things fall into place.



"Dismiss the illusion that somehow there is an old and a new Europe, the one opposed to the US and on its way out, the other the bright harbinger of the future to come," Blair said.


Bureau Report