Brussels, 18/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18 July, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and US Secretary of State John Kerry again underlined the importance of EU-US relations. The relationship has never been as much in the spotlight as since the British vote to leave the EU on 23 June.
During a press conference in Brussels with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini after a meeting of his 28 EU counterparts, Kerry said that the EU-US partnership is strong today and that it will remain strong, lasting and unbreakable in the future. He also spoke at length about EU-US relations and the importance of the EU, with which cooperation has never been as intense.
In addition, Kerry praised the transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement (TTIP), which is much criticised in Europe. In his view TTIP has a very significant ability to counterbalance any negative effect that would come out of the agreement that will be negotiated between the UK and EU, and he hopes that TTIP will be concluded before the end of the year. He added that TTIP will create jobs, will protect the interests of Europeans, and will protect their regulatory rights, their capacity to uphold labour laws and environmental laws.
“Our friendship has never been as strong”, Mogherini said, reiterating the “loud and clear” message of the Americans on the need for Europe to be united and strong. “Sometimes we need our best friend, our closest friend to remind us of the extraordinary value of the EU”, Mogherini said.
Kerry was also pleased with his meeting at the same time with his European counterparts. Many issues were raised during this meeting, such as the fight against terrorism, Syria, Libya, Turkey (see other article) and Ukraine. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)