The European Parliament called, on Wednesday 13 December, on the EU to work for an even stronger partnership of leadership and responsibility with the United States “to defend multilateralism and tackle the global challenges and the new and dangerous geopolitical realities that affect our shared values, common interests, security and prosperity and that shape our societies, communities and institutions”.
In the report by Tonino Picula (S&D, Croatian) which they adopted (485 votes in favour, 77 against and 70 abstentions), MEPs stressed that “in the context of the deteriorating global security situation, transatlantic unity is now needed more than ever”. They therefore encourage closer links and greater cooperation.
In their view, the EU and the US must work towards a transatlantic agenda that prioritises multilateral cooperation, strengthens their cooperation in international bodies, and focuses on the fight against inequality and ecological transformation, as well as on a sustainable transformation that respects the environment and the economy.
According to the European Parliament, both parties should maximise as well the added value of transatlantic relations in the field of security and defence.
MEPs also invite the two transatlantic partners to make joint progress on important foreign policy issues, notably relations with China, and to continue their cooperation on Ukraine.
In addition, MEPs call for consideration to be given to the possibility of opening negotiations in sectoral areas, including economic and trade issues, “in view of the absence of negotiations on a necessary comprehensive agreement on trade, energy, investment and public procurement between the EU and the United States”, and call for the rapid conclusion of an association agreement.
Finally, the European Parliament advocates an annual EU-US summit to better coordinate their action in the face of the many crises erupting around the world and to coordinate transatlantic responses.
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/a3z (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)