Can US-EU relations be healed?

Can US-EU relations be healed?

US Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Brussels on a diplomatic mission to attempt to heal deep divisions with Russia, EU and Nato allies over the war in Iraq.

Mr Powell is looking for support from Europe for America's future plans for Iraq.

Relations between the US and the EU have become increasingly strained since the outbreak of war.

Mr Powell visited Turkey on Wednesday, securing a pledge to smooth a path for US troops into northern Iraq.

Can Colin Powell's trip help heal divisions over war? What do you hope to see achieved by the visit? What role do the EU and Turkey have in post-war Iraq?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

Rather than heal the rifts I suggest the US makes free trade agreements with the nations that Chirac derided when they spoke up for Bush

Mike K, USA

Why should the US try to heal relations with the EU? The European Union is an organisation run by France, a duplicitous competitor of the US. Rather than heal the rifts I suggest the US makes free trade agreements with the UK, Spain, Italy and all the eastern European nations that Chirac derided when they spoke up for Bush.
Mike K, USA

After disregarding the UN, the US has shown the world nothing other than disrespect in its unilateral decision making. Killing Saddam won't stop this war nor will taking Baghdad. Colin Powell may attempt to mend political rifts, but European nations have been completely rejected by the US. Unlike the US, however, we have long memories.
Chris, France

I think that the most important thing is for the EU to take a stand together. If we don't speak with one voice, we won't have any power in the world.
Erik, Sweden

The current rift between the US and Turkey should not be allowed to damage relations with the EU

Catherine, UK

The inclusion of Turkey (a secular state consisting of Kurds, Greeks, Arabs, Armenians, and Jews but with a predominantly Muslim population) into the EU will be a very positive step in terms of creating understanding and building bridges between different cultures with common interests. The current rift between the US and Turkey should not be allowed to damage relations with the EU, anymore than the rift with France.
Catherine, UK

Anyone who thinks that Turkey is making a stance for any kind of free world must be living in La-La land. They have one of the worst human rights records in history. They are terrified of any kind of Iraqi/Arab backlash as a result of any action they might take and the only other reason they wouldn't let the US station troops and equipment in their country initially is because the US refused to pay the extortionate amount of money the Turkish government demanded for doing so. Get real!
Paul, Australia

It seems that the "hawks" in the US administration are losing their grip on the way this war is being managed and Powell is gaining more ground. This trip will not resolve all of the outstanding issues with regards to the war in Iraq but may be a harbinger of increased co-operation between Turkey and the US. One should carefully watch the outcome of the meeting between Powell and Gen. Ozkok, as it will determine whether there will be a turnaround in the way US-Turkey partnership has been managed so far.
Arslan Dorman, Canada

Why should the EU bother? The USA is only concerned by what others think or do when it involves sales. The US decided to go ahead with this war against EU wishes, so let them be isolated if that is what they wish. If they were at all honest then Turkey would not have been punished by the withdrawal of aid. The US attitude is simply: you can say and do as you wish as long as we agree with you and it does not go against our own interests.
Keith G, UK

Turkey were emboldened by the way the US and UK were isolated in the world community

Sarah, Germany

It's high time other Arab countries learned from the way Turkey handled it this time. No doubt they were emboldened by the way the US and UK were isolated in the world community. Surely, when you get a country to destroy all their weapons, and then declare war on them, you can't expect a decent world community to applaud and join in.
Sarah, Germany

I hope Turkey stands up for the real free world and puts a stop to American bullying. Turkey does not need the US and it did the right thing by not letting the US send troops into Iraq from the north to slaughter more civilians.
Vish, UK

A lot will depend on the US to mend the rifts between the two, since it was Turkey who refused America's offer.
Eric Opoku Mensah, Ghana