Germany: US 'Cold War' behavior unacceptable

The German government said on Monday if media reports of large-scale US spying on the EU were confirmed, it would be unacceptable Cold War-style behavior between partners who require mutual trust to forge a new transatlantic trade area.

"If it is confirmed that diplomatic representations of the EU and individual European countries have been spied upon, we will clearly say that bugging friends is unacceptable," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert. "We are no longer in the Cold War." (Reuters)