The idea to develop new relationship with Washington was initiated by France, the current EU presidency, at the September informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Avignon, France.
The reason for establishing an equal transatlantic partnership is that "the world has changed", as French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner put it at the last meeting and Monday's meeting.
"The world has changed, because we have realized that a great country, which will remain a great country, is not the only one concerned by the world's problems," he said. "The European Union has become more resolute."
Kouchner cited the leading role the EU played in brokering a cease-fire between Russia and Georgia in August and in coping with the global financial turmoil.
"We will play our full role for partnership," Kouchner said more frankly at a press conference after the three-hour informal meeting. "We don't want to play a secondary role any more."
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU commissioner for external relations, echoed him by saying on the same occasion that the EU would try to "take the advantage of the period of transition" to simply try to define priorities with the United States.
She insisted that relations with Washington should reflect Europe's new "leadership" in world affairs.
"We want to have an even stronger relationship with the United States, and for that reason I think it's important that we say what we think is important for us. I think it should be a more balanced relationship," she said.
Britain, the die-hard supporter and follower of U.S. policies, also voices its determination to stand up to challenge the elder brotherhood of the United States.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the EU could work with Washington to set "an inclusive global agenda that responds to the changing economic and social and political times", adding "This isn't just about asking America to do things. It's about Europe stepping up as well," he told reporters upon his arrival for the meeting.
Miliband said "make sure that our contribution in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in responding to the global financial crisis, is strong and clear and in close alliance both with this American administration but also with the new one."
Javier Solana, EU foreign and security policy chief, also thought the U.S. general elections, which will take place on Tuesday, was an opportunity to start a new transatlantic relationship.
"Concerning the United States, we are on the eve of crucial elections. Europeans and Americans alike, seem keen to begin a new chapter," he said on Oct. 30 at the annual conference of the Institute for Security Studies of the European Union in Paris.
"I have been and remain a firm believer in the power of the U.S. and Europe to act as a force for good around the world," he said.
Analyst here say the Europeans have good reasons for taking the opportunity of the transition of the U.S. administration for a change of partnership.
They did not have the chance or gut to call for standing on the same footing with the George W. Bush administration, as the outgoing U.S. president never took seriously the Europeans during his first term. He practiced unilateralism.
Neglecting strong opposition from most EU nations, especially France and Germany, the Bush administration lodged the Iraqi war in 2003, throwing transatlantic ties into a nadir.
The thaw began as Germany and France changed governments respectively in 2005 and 2007.
Pro-American Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy offered to improve relations with Washington, not the other way around.
Bush demonstrated friendliness and regret over his foreign policy towards Europe only during his farewell visit to the continent this year because he needed the help of the Europeans in Afghanistan.
On the EU side, the EU had never before played more leading roles than under the French presidency this year.
The French leaders repeatedly boasted the EU role in stopping the Georgia-Russia conflict and in tackling the financial storm.
The EU is eager to show its leadership by set an agenda with the United States in stopping conflict in the Middle East, in helping Afghanistan and Pakistan, to name a few.
Ambitious as it is, analysts say the EU presidency is going to a weak and inexperienced hand at the beginning of next year, the Czech Republic.
Also, with its own problems such as the stalled Lisbon Treaty, whether the EU can really stand as equals with its U.S. partner will be a big question mark.
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