WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns that common values with the USA could be lost in Europe. “Well, if they (Europeans) erase their common history, their common culture, their common ideology, their common priorities, their common principles, then what?” Rubio said. “Then you only have a pure defense agreement.” Rubio responded to a question about the new US national security strategy, in which the US government complains, among other things, about an alleged loss of democracy and freedom of expression in Europe.
The foundation of the relationship with Europe is the fact that both sides have a common culture, share values and principles regarding human rights and freedom and democracy, Rubio said at a press conference. “If you take that away, if that’s eliminated because it’s no longer a priority for some reason,” then it puts a long-term burden on the alliance and jeopardizes it as a whole.
In its new national security strategy, President Donald Trump’s administration branded the political landscape in the EU as a threat to American interests. Alleged democratic deficits and restrictions on freedom of expression are criticized. When it comes to migration, it is said that Europe’s economic decline is overshadowed by the danger of “civilizational extinction.” Germany is also mentioned by name and criticized./tm/DP/nas