EU and US united in promoting peace and security worldwide

EU leaders, including the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, met with US President, Joe Biden, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Washington DC.

The summit was an opportunity to review the close transatlantic partnership and areas of cooperation within the partnership. At the end of the summit, the leaders adopted a joint statement, which includes a roadmap to underpin and further strengthen the relationship for years to come.

EU-US relations

The EU and the US are close and like-minded partners that share a strong bond and a commitment to a rules-based international order and effective multilateralism.

Together, they are a positive force promoting stability and peace worldwide and addressing fundamental global challenges including a changed security landscape, the protection of democracy, respect for human rights and climate change.

The EU-US partnership brings benefits to its citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, and the EU and the US are further committed to building prosperity and further developing their cooperation on security and defence. The leaders recognised the value of a stronger and more capable European defence that contributes positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to, and interoperable with NATO.

Situation in the Middle East

The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East, which they are following closely.

The EU and the US condemned in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks against Israel and its population. The leaders reiterated that Israel has a right to defend itself, in line with international law, including international humanitarian law, and expressed their concern about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The leaders further stressed the importance of working closely together with partners to:

• protect civilians
• support those who are trying to reach safety or provide assistance
• facilitate access to food, water, medical care and shelter

Russia’s war against Ukraine

The EU and the US have demonstrated joint leadership in their support to Ukraine following Russia’s war of aggression. The leaders reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Ukraine, including through diplomatic, financial and military support. They also reiterated their resolve to:

• ensure Russia’s full accountability for its war
• target third-country actors who materially support the war
• jointly enforce sanctions and export control measures

The EU and the US have demonstrated unprecedented cooperation in mounting a common transatlantic response to the war and its global consequences. In this respect, they reaffirmed their commitment to working with the global community to address the energy, economic and food security challenges brought about by Russia’s war.

Trade and economy

The EU and the US are close economic partners with strong trade and investment ties, and are are at the forefront of the technological and digital transformation. The leaders stressed the importance of trade and investments in their relationship and discussed how to resolve outstanding issues.

The EU and the US are also determined to increase their economic resilience and security by:

• addressing distortive non-market economic practices
• reducing supply chain vulnerabilities
• strengthening transatlantic supply chains
• addressing risks on technology security and leakage
• countering economic coercion

The leaders also took stock of progress made on the global arrangement on sustainable steel and aluminium and on a targeted critical minerals agreement.

More information: European Council