By KUNA,
BERLIN : German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in a joint article published in Sueddedusche Zeitung on Wednesday, underscored the importance of closer cooperation within the European Union (EU) member states in foreign and security policies.
The two leaders emphasized European unity, besides developing joint capabilities through civil and military means, and declared refusal of turning the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) into international security agency.
They called for NATO reforms and developing a new strategy for using its military forces.
They stressed the need to enhance cooperation between NATO members and further cooperation between the US and the EU, adding that they would not allow Iran to possess an atomic bomb, which they considered a threat the world peace.
They said the US should negotiate more intensively on the Iranian nuclear program.
The two leaders said that tough international sanctions would be imposed on Iran in case it did not cooperate over its nuclear program. (end) sh.lb KUNA 041345 Feb 09NNNN