European Foreign Envoys Discuss Iraq and Use of Force

At a recent meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Greece, the discussions focused on the resumption of diplomatic missions to Iraq and the design of a European security strategy. The proposed European Security Strategy document will be "a common threat assessment on issues ranging from weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, to refugee flows and regional crises." The intention behind producing the strategy document is to improve relations between European Union countries and with the US. The articulation of a shared security strategy might also prevent divisiveness within the European Union on the use of force against a specific country. However, the foreign envoys were unable to reach a consensus on the use of force and the establishment of a separate military headquarters by four NATO members – France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg – who had opposed US military action in Iraq. – YaleGlobal.