I do not understand why some EU leaders, in the Parliament
and the Commission, are so surprised by the news that the Americans have been
spying on them. You have to be very naïve or have no experience of international
affairs to believe that “friendly nations” are just that, friends…Friends have
interests and they try to protect them. That means, among other things, that
they want to know, well in advance, what you are cooking, to be able to reach
the dinner table prepared for event…
The US has a special interest in EU affairs. They are
particularly interested in trade intelligence, but also on the European
positions regarding key international matters, such as Iran, Israel, Russia, Security
Council resolutions and so on. Furthermore, they hope to get some additional
information about other players by plugging in to the intelligence systems of
the European nations.
They have also a special sharing system with like-minded
nations such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and… the UK. Therefore, the
British are very much aware of the US is doing regarding the gathering of
clandestine information in Brussels, Berlin, Paris, or elsewhere. This also
raises a very simple issue: many of the things that are said within the EU are
certainly shared by London with their Washington mates. So what? Just make your
position clear and transparent and be also sure that when you negotiate with
the US you are negotiating with a very well informed – and therefore prepared –
interlocutor.
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