U.S. offers new foreign policy tone

U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden has outlined the Obama administration's foreign policy direction, promising a new American tone in the world. Biden, addressing a security forum in Munich, said the U.S. would consult more with European allies in return for greater willingness in burden sharing. U.S. offers new foreign policy tone He spoke of a new relationship with Russia and said the U.S. would continue to develop a missile defense shield. He also said no strategy in Afghanistan could succeed without Pakistan. His wide-ranging speech also covered climate change and the global economic crisis. "I come to Europe on behalf of a new administration determined to set a new tone in Washington, and in America's relations around the world," Biden told other world leaders and diplomats. "We will engage. We will listen. We will consult. America needs the world, just as I believe the world needs America," he said. On Iran, Biden said: "We will continue to develop missile defenses to counter a growing Iranian capability, provided the technology is proven to work and cost effective." He added: "We will do so in consultation with our NATO allies and Russia." He reiterated Obama's pledge to communicate with Iran, saying the U.S. offered a clear choice: "Continue down your current course and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon your illicit nuclear program and support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives." Biden also said it was "time to press the re-set button" on American-Russian relations. He is due to meet Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, amid cool relations between the two nations. Promising to consult with nations on a range of other issues, Biden also said that the U.S. would "ask for more from our partners", for example in taking former inmates from Guantanamo Bay when the U.S. military prison is closed in a year.

U.S. offers new foreign policy tone

He spoke of a new relationship with Russia and said the U.S. would continue to develop a missile defense shield.

He also said no strategy in Afghanistan could succeed without Pakistan.

His wide-ranging speech also covered climate change and the global economic crisis.

"I come to Europe on behalf of a new administration determined to set a new tone in Washington, and in America's relations around the world," Biden told other world leaders and diplomats.

"We will engage. We will listen. We will consult. America needs the world, just as I believe the world needs America," he said.

On Iran, Biden said: "We will continue to develop missile defenses to counter a growing Iranian capability, provided the technology is proven to work and cost effective."

He added: "We will do so in consultation with our NATO allies and Russia."

He reiterated Obama's pledge to communicate with Iran, saying the U.S. offered a clear choice: "Continue down your current course and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon your illicit nuclear program and support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives."

Biden also said it was "time to press the re-set button" on American-Russian relations.

He is due to meet Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, amid cool relations between the two nations.

Promising to consult with nations on a range of other issues, Biden also said that the U.S. would "ask for more from our partners", for example in taking former inmates from Guantanamo Bay when the U.S. military prison is closed in a year.