Brussels, 15/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The United States has 'warmly' welcomed the statement by the Brussels European Council highlighting the importance of transatlantic relations, describing them as 'irreplacable' and unequalled in the world in terms of both economics and politics, notes the US mission in Brussels in a press release issued on Saturday (see page 22 of our 14 December Special Issue). The United States have been a partner for the European Union since its beginnings because we recognise that a strong, free and prosperous Europe is in our interests. From the start we also believed that our relations would be a partnership based on a common vision of the political and economic freedom of our peoples and the rest of the world, notes the mission. The United States repeats it support for a European Security and Defence Policy that improves on European capacities and is fully coordinated, compatible and transparent with rega! rd to NATO, the leading security structure for the transatlantic community. The mission adds that they accept the need for mutually strengthening relations between the EU and NATO and welcome the renewed commitment by EU Member States to extend their capacities. Washington urges the EU to find a way of continuing to face the challenges of the epoch together, namely security, fighting terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, economic growth, global development and improving the health and wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants.