Washington, 26/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday at meeting with US and EU business leaders, the European Commissioner Erkki Liikanen and United States Commerce Secretary Don Evans, reaffirmed the importance of the transatlantic economic and commercial dialogue, Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD), in a new, more focused and efficient format. Secretary Evans stated that, "We outlined goals and concrete steps the U.S. and EU governments can take to improve the transatlantic marketplace, and provide the momentum for economic growth". "The business-community is the driving force of transatlantic economic integration," said Commissioner Liikanen, adding that, "Its vigilance is needed to bring trade-barriers and frictions to the attention of governments and to make them find solutions to these problems. TABD has contributed positively to the improvement of transatlantic economic relations through innovative ideas that have advanced trade liberalisation. The new Transatlantic Business Dialogue will be a lean and focused business-driven process developing policy recommendations for administrations".