'Our way of life depends on it''
88th Inter-parliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue
Members of the European Parliament and the US House of Representatives met on 4 and 5 April 2024 at the European Parliament's premises in Brussels for the 88th InterParliamentary Meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD). They emphasized on the need for stronger transatlantic cooperation to tackle the huge geopolitical, geo-economic, and sustainability challenges that the world is currently facing. They called for pressing and significant leadership initiatives on both sides of the ocean to make the transatlantic relationship stronger, deeper, and lasting.
In a common statement, the members of the European Parliament and US Congress highlighted the importance of mutual trust and joint international leadership to tackle the challenges faced by the world today. They emphasized that this is not a partisan issue but a fundamental shared interest. The future of democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, rule of law, and our way of life depend on it.
They also called for the promotion of cooperation with like-minded countries across the world and pursue multilateral solutions and international rules-based cooperation. Economic security and close trade ties were identified as essential for growth and stability, and they agreed to enhance the coordination of their respective legislative work in this field.
The members of the European Parliament and US Congress were determined to ensure resilient supply chains, the protection of physical and cyber infrastructures, and the coordination of export controls. They also committed to establishing binding guardrails to Artificial Intelligence across the Atlantic that allow societies to benefit from its large opportunities, while ensuring that human rights and democratic values are fully preserved.
The European Parliament and US Congress strongly support the efforts of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and its working groups, as reflected in the five ministerial meetings held so far. They appreciate the engagement of stakeholders and emphasize the importance of transparency and effectiveness in the work. They have high expectations for the outcome of the sixth ministerial meeting, which was being held in parallel to this TLD meeting, in the nearby city of Leuven.
The members of the European Parliament and US Congress confirmed their support for the US-EU Energy Council, its related goals, and for other dialogue and cooperation fora, including on clean energy technology, where more work is needed. They are eager to see finalised agreements on all TTC priority files and in particular on critical minerals. Similarly, they ask for fair and lasting solutions to all transatlantic trade irritants, including but not limited to a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium.
Stakeholders' involvement in TTC must be reinforced, including the integration of a strong parliamentary dimension. The transatlantic partners share a historical responsibility to support Ukraine in its third year confronting the ruthless Russian war of aggression. They were concerned about Moldova's precarious situation in the face of Russian threats and interference.
The members of the European Parliament and US Congress welcomed the progress made towards the start of EU accession negotiations by European Parliament Ukraine, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the candidate status for Georgia, and the renewed EU-enlargement momentum in the Western Balkans. They also called for reinforced transatlantic coordination to act decisively against sanctions circumvention. Russia must pay for the damages it causes in Ukraine.
They, therefore, supported discussions on coordinating the best way to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. They looked forward to the June 2024 Summit decisions in this regard. They also welcomed the recent European Commission proposal to allocate 90% of revenues generated by frozen Russian assets held in Europe to an EU-run fund that finances the supply of weapons and ammunitions for Ukraine and 10% to the EU Budget to enhance Ukraine's Defense industry and reconstruction.
The members of the European Parliament and US Congress were encouraged by NATO's largest exercise in Europe since the end of the Cold War, the ongoing "Steadfast Defender" military exercise in Northern and Central Europe. They looked forward to the Washington NATO Summit scheduled for 9-11 July 2024, which will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Alliance and will discuss common answers to the challenges facing the transatlantic community, including the need to support Ukraine.
They also called for ever-closer coordination between the E.U. and the U.S. to preserve freedom of navigation in the South-China Sea and to address the growing Chinese assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait.
The members of the European Parliament and US Congress reiterated their commitment to fighting foreign information manipulation. They recommend that special consideration be given to the strengthening the cooperation and partnership between the E.U., its Member States, and the United States of America. They called on leaders at all levels in the US and the EU to keep the Transatlantic relationship at the forefront of their agendas and to foster stronger ties. Together, they are strong, and the European Parliament and US Congress call for pressing and significant leadership initiatives on both sides of the ocean to make their transatlantic relationship stronger, deeper, and lasting.
The dialogue featured the participation of European Commission Executive Vice-Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis, and an exchange with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. European Parliament Vice President Marc Angel addressed the TLD on behalf of President Metsola. They also met with the President of the House of Representatives of Belgium, Eliane Tillieux, and exchanged with Belgian Members of the House and Senate. Other senior officials from EU bodies, such as the EEAS Secretary General Stefano Sannino and the EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan, also met the legislators.
At the end of the meeting, the TLD Co-Chairs, MEP Hübner and Representative Moran, together with the EU TLD Vice-Chair MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D - Finland) and the US TLD Ranking Member Rep. Jim Costa (Democrats, California) signed a joint statement outlining the conclusions from their discussion and setting the scope for the TLD's future work.
The 89th meeting of the TLD is expected to take place in the United States towards the end of 2024.