U.S. President Barack Obama skipped the EU-US summit in May. Officially it is said Obama would focus on domestic problems and reduce his trips abroad. Behind the scenes, however, other reasons mentioned.
President Barack Obama will not come to the EU-US summit in May in Europe. He breaks with a tradition that had respected his predecessor George W. Bush: Alternating meet the leaders of the two largest economic blocs in the world in America and Europe, usually twice a year. In April 2009, therefore, Obama had traveled to Prague in November he had received the EU-top in Washington. The White House justified the decision, Obama’s domestic policy challenges in the congressional election year. He would significantly reduce his trips abroad, 2009, he had visited 21 countries on ten trips - this is new record in the first year in office, they said.
Hinted Consultant, the dispute of the Europeans, where the summit takes place and who the hosts had contributed to the cancellation. Herman van Rompuy, the new permanent EU president, wants to host the meeting in Brussels. But Spain, which all the six months holding the rotating EU presidency, Obama was welcomed in Madrid. Those who now represents the United States is not yet known. The Wall Street Journal writes that the rejection shows what a lightweight Obama the EU attaches.
In the EU, was Obama’s cancellation received with disappointment. “Normally peaks are designated as such because there leaders are represented,” said European Commission spokeswoman, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, journalists in Brussels. Spain, which currently has the EU presidency, has the Summit for the 24th Scheduled in May. He is considered one of the highlights of the Spanish EU presidency during this half year. (With AP)
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