10/11/2010

EU-US Summit

By Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Delegation for relations with the United States

The transatlantic relationship between the EU and the US is distinctive and broad in scope, which includes a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights, fighting terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. EU-US relations play a pivotal role in ensuring that global issues and new challenges are addressed. Both partners are committed to cooperation in order to promote growth and jobs in their economies, and the European Parliament continues to advocate the completion of a barrier-free transatlantic market by 2015. The achievement of which, alongside the completion of the EU's own single market, will be a core element in re-launching global economic growth and recovery. In this respect, the European Parliament has always insisted on the importance of the transatlantic dialogue and cooperation, emphasising the need for intensive coordination in preventing and solving crises and conflicts around the world, while holding a deep respect for third parties partners.

The cooperation between the EU and the US covers a large range of issues, from defence and military cooperation to climate change, energy security, trade, financial and economic cooperation, transport, research and development. Furthermore, it extends to the fight against global terrorism, a global threat that must be addressed swiftly. The EU and the US must continue to work cooperatively in order to further counter the renewed threat from terrorism. To do so, they need to assure the world that security measures do not undermine the protection of civil liberties and fundamental rights.

There are several conflicts in the world arena that may be solved by a better collaboration between the EU and the US like the situations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and Middle East. At the same time, as leading partners in the G20, the EU and the US need to keep their commitments regarding the Millennium Development Goals by taking measures to accelerate their progress in meeting the Millennium Development targets by 2015.

The Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) constitutes, in this respect, the most appropriate mechanism for managing the transatlantic economic relationship. The European Parliament urges the partners to use the full potential of the TEC in order to overcome the existing barriers to economic integration and to achieve a barrier-free transatlantic market by 2015, which will be a positive response to the current economic and social crisis. At the same time, the TEC must be seen as a framework for macro-economic cooperation between the partners, noting their unprecedented cooperation during the crisis. That is why the European Parliament encourages the monetary institutions to strengthen their coordination, especially in the area of supervision and systemic risk prevention.

Both the EU and the US are concerned about the access to third-country markets, particularly since economic recovery from the financial crisis is beginning to start in some emerging world markets, such as Brazil, India and China, where significant and discriminatory trade and non-tariff barriers still exist.

With the opening of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington D.C. in April 2010, the European Parliament has shown its commitment to EU-US relations. The network that this office will establish will improve the legislative cooperation between Congress and the European Parliament as well as improving the understanding among European Parliamentarians of US political affairs.

In view of the recent developments on both sides of the Atlantic, this EU-US open dialogue between governments, parliaments and societies is crucial. It shows the need for greater tolerance and respect for diversity in both communities within the context of respect by all for fundamental human rights.