The head of the European Council on Wednesday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent decisions on trade and the Iran nuclear deal, both of them facing firm European Union opposition.
鈥淟ooking at the latest decisions of President Trump, someone could even think: with friends like that who needs enemies?鈥� Donald Tusk told reporters ahead the EU leaders鈥� agenda dinner for the EU-Western Balkans summit set for Thursday in Sofia, Bulgaria.
He added: 鈥淏esides traditional political challenges such as the rise of China, or the aggressive stance of Russia, we are witnessing today a new phenomenon: the capricious assertiveness of the American administration.鈥�
鈥淏ut frankly speaking, Europe should be grateful to President Trump. Because thanks to him we have got rid of all illusions. He has made us realize that if you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm. Europe must do everything in its power to protect, in spite of today鈥檚 mood, the transatlantic bond,鈥� he said.
He urged the EU to be united and ready to stand and act on its own.
Tusk said EU leaders would use the summit to discuss the Iran deal along with innovation, the European future for the western Balkans, and Trump鈥檚 trade policies.
He called on EU leaders 鈥渢o reconfirm that the EU sticks to the deal as long as Iran does,鈥� underlining that 鈥渢he deal is good for European and global security鈥�.
Marking the importance of Thursday鈥檚 summit with Western Balkan partners, Tusk said the event would be 鈥渁n opportunity for both sides to reaffirm that the European perspective remains the Western Balkans' geostrategic choice.鈥�
鈥淏eyond the longer-term outlook, we want to demonstrate that we care about socioeconomic development in the region here and now. Investing in infrastructural and human connections with and within the Western Balkans is in the EU's best interest. And it will be the objective of our summit. I hope to bring our Western Balkan friends closer to the EU,鈥� he added.
By Sorwar Alam
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr