Brussels, 10/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - At June's EU-United States summit in Slovenia, European and American leaders are expected to adopt a declaration affirming their commitment to promoting open investment policies. EUROPE has obtained a copy of the declaration, and can reveal extracts of the draft declaration, debated at a meeting of the transatlantic dialogue on investment on 2 April. “We jointly affirm our commitment to promoting open investment policies at home and abroad, and acknowledge the fundamental nature such policies represent to our prosperity. As the global investment environment evolves, with new challenges and new roles for some actors, it is important for openness to be supported by confidence both in the system and in the actors,” the draft text says. “An open economy, including free and open international investment regime, is indispensable to fostering sustainable economic growth. Principles of open investment include: non-discrimination, transparency and progressive and unilateral liberalisation,” it states. “The benefits of international investment are clear. International investment spurs the development and introduction of new technologies and business methods, and provides for healthy competition that fosters innovation. This investment brings to an economy jobs, technology, expertise and a range of products at competitive cost,” the draft text continues. “We recognise our responsibility in resisting protectionist sentiment at home and in steadfastly working together to oppose protectionism abroad. Protectionist barriers to foreign investment deprive the global economy and the economies of those countries that erect the barriers, of a vital source of economic growth,” it adds before concluding, “An open investment environment is compatible with effective policies that address national security concerns. Measures that address national security concerns, and which may incur an obstacle to investment, should be predictable, proportionate to the objective pursued, and precisely circumscribed so as avoid unduly disrupting the flow of investment. As two of the world's largest investors and recipients of investment we are committed to promoting the free flow of investment and the critical role it plays in strengthening the transatlantic economy and, more generally, the world economy”. (E.H.)