PARIS, Jan. 9 — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Friday that France and Europe have the right to reject proposals from even their closest allies when they are unacceptable, while warning that Europe’s political organization is under strain.
In his annual address to French ambassadors, Barrot said the United States can “rethink the ties that bind us,” but added that Europe also has “the right to say no to a historic ally … when it is necessary.” He said Europe’s political organization is “in danger today,” but dismissed claims that the continent is facing “civilizational erasure.” Such warnings resurfaced after the U.S. National Security Strategy released in December offered an unusually negative assessment of the European Union, arguing that Europe was experiencing an erosion of political freedom and sovereignty.
Turning to transatlantic relations, he described the United States as an ally “with whom we are not always aligned.” Tensions have been heightened by U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements expressing a desire to take over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, a proposal that has been firmly rejected by European leaders.(Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
