EU-US relations

The European Parliament adopted by 485 votes to 77, with 70 abstentions, a recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy concerning EU-US relations.

The US is the EU’s most important ally. The transatlantic partnership and close cooperation in foreign and security affairs is instrumental in asserting and enhancing the principles of international law, the rules-based international order and multilateral cooperation.

EU-US transatlantic dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy are indispensable in addressing the current multifaceted threats and the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change, the threat posed by authoritarian and totalitarian regimes globally, including in Europe and Asia, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the worrying situation in the Middle East, the fight against global criminal networks, making gender equality and anti-discrimination a reality and ensuring sustainable modernisation.

Recommendations

Parliament recommended that the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:

- work towards fostering an even stronger, mutually beneficial partnership in leadership and responsibility between the EU and the US, in order to defend multilateralism and tackle the global challenges;

- reiterate the common transatlantic friendship with Ukraine and Israel based on our joint and full condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the joint condemnation of the despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, joint efforts to free all hostages taken by Hamas and joint support of Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law, and express deepest sorrow and full solidarity with the innocent victims on both sides;

- work towards a transatlantic agenda that prioritises multilateral cooperation for a more equitable and healthier world, the fight against climate change, the promotion of peaceful resolution of conflicts, arms control, disarmament, the fight against racism, and reform of economic governance;

- reassert the continued relevance of the strategic transatlantic relationship and its anchoring in our shared values for the rebuilding and reinvigoration of the multilateral rules-based international order;

- study the possibility of opening negotiations in sectoral areas, including economic or trade, given the absence of negotiations on a needed comprehensive trade, energy, investment and public procurement agreement between the EU and the US;

- further operationalise EU-NATO cooperation in areas such as resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure, emerging and disruptive technologies, space, the security implications of climate change, the fight against maritime piracy, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference;

- significantly strengthen consultation, cooperation and contingency planning for joint responses to geopolitical developments and escalating situations such as the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, in particular by working together to strengthen the NATO Alliance’s eastern flank;

- put arms control and disarmament high on the transatlantic and international agenda in international forums such as the UN;

- deepen partnerships in the areas of cooperation envisaged by the NATO Strategic Concept and the EU Strategic Compass, particularly in the areas of military mobility, cyber security, defence research, dual-use infrastructure, resilience and inclusive joint exercises;

- enhance efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and oppose any unilateral actions, in particular when based on threats or use of force, which undermine cross-Strait peace and stability;

- coordinate with the US and other like-minded partners on issues where China’s actions are contrary to Euro-Atlantic security interests, giving priority to challenges in the cyber, hybrid, emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT), space, arms control and non-proliferation areas;

- continue the EU-US strategic partnership and cooperation in the Western Balkans to secure peace and stability in the region and ensure that the EU and NATO provide more support to the countries of the Western Balkans in countering malicious foreign interference and hybrid threats from third countries;

- underline the urgent need to deepen EU-US cooperation in the Middle East while supporting the good bilateral engagements on our respective policies towards the Middle East Peace Process and the two-state solution, as well as to reinforce the coordination of efforts to encourage positive developments, peace and stability in the wider region;

- continue to condemn Iran for its malign and hostile influence in the Middle East, including its support for the recent, despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel;

- exchange information and jointly address the spread of Russian and Chinese influence and hybrid activities, including information manipulation, cyber-attacks, internal interference and economic and political coercion;

- continue and enhance bilateral talks on technology with the aim of taking the lead in developing international standards for emerging technologies, including but not limited to AI, cyber security and emerging technologies;

- pursue transatlantic cooperation in streamlining procurement practices and the interoperability of technology and move forward with the establishment of a transatlantic trade and investment partnership;

- ensure that the US remains an important partner for the EU’s energy security, as it has been, in particular, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.