European Leaders must heal EU rift

3.42.32pm GMT Thu 27th Mar 2003

Europe is badly divided over military action in Iraq.

There was high drama in the European Parliament today, when a full plenary session failed to pass any resolution on the current Iraq crisis, leaving the Parliament without a view on the situation.

West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne is calling for unity after the Parliament successively rejected resolutions by all the major political groups, and even a joint text by the Greens, Socialists and Liberals. Under normal circumstances, such a joint text would be expected to pass.

Liz said:

"The rift in the EU over the Iraq situation is now there for all to see. With relations between the member states at an all time low, it is up to the European Parliament to show some leadership on this issue, and it is deeply regrettable that it has failed to do so."

"If Europe is split on foreign and security policy, the US is essentially free to do whatever it wants. Today's vote only highlights the need for a Common Foreign and Security Policy, but this will be impossible if the leaders of member states, in particular Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac, are at each other's throats."