A special relationship

Barroso calls for “a new Atlanticism”.

José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, has called for a “new Atlanticism” to replace “traditional Atlanticism”. Speaking at the Brussels Forum, a sort of Davos for political leaders (minus the snow and mountains), Barroso said that the new relationship should be based on results rather than processes.

“That means making our summits much more efficient and results-oriented, and occasions for a high-level, less scripted, strategic dialogue between leaders,” he told his audience, which included a few senior US officials (although not Hillary Clinton, the secretary of state).

“In any event, we need to be guided by two principles: strategic priorities over endless lists of issues, and substance over process. The summits must be agenda-setting and decision-making events.”

Just in case anyone had missed the point, the Brussels Forum helpfully explained in a press release that Barroso’s statement was “a nod to an EU-US summit that was postponed by President Barack Obama”.

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