Anti-US alliance "would split Europe"

Nato secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has been expressing his concern about what seems to be the increasing rift between the EU and Nato.

Against the continued background of briefing against Nato (click here and here), he has called for an improvement in transatlantic relations and a stronger political consensus within the alliance, stating that: "Uniting Europe against the United States is a non-starter."

At a recent meeting at the Berlin Press Club, he warned the European governments against seeking agreements without involving the United States; and also advised against regarding Nato as a competitor of the EU. European unity was not alternative to an alliance with the United States. "Europe is unable to unite against the United States; this would result in a split in Europe," he said.