SPEECH/06/343

Benita Ferrero-Waldner

European Commissioner for External Relations and European

Neighbourhood Policy

Improving transatlantic relations in the

framework of a Transatlantic
Partnership Agreement (E. Brok report)

European Parliament

Brussels, 31 May 2006

Let me start with my perception of EU-US relations from a foreign policy
perspective. Commissioner Mandelson will complete the picture with the trade
perspective.
As your excellent report makes clear, the context for EU-US relations has changed
enormously over the course of the last year. Following President Bush’s visit to
Brussels and the 2005 summit, the tensions we experienced in 2003 and 2004 were
replaced by a new spirit of constructive engagement.
We came out of the 2005 summit with eight declarations on a wide range of issues,
which have guided our collaboration since then.
The declaration on democracy promotion shows how far our cooperation on foreign
policy has come. Rather than fire-fighting the latest international crisis, we are taking
the initiative and being more proactive in our approach.
Of course our activity to spread democratic principles, respect for human rights and
the rule of law – which you highlight in the draft resolution - can only go so far.
Without the full commitment of the county concerned, democracy cannot be
sustainable.
Nevertheless, when that commitment is there, our coordinated action does make a
difference. In Ukraine we worked well together to support the reform process. And
when it is absent, like in Belarus, our common stance sends a clear message to the
regime.
The Middle East Peace Process is another area where our coordination is essential.
I personally have been very closely involved in co-ordinating our position with the
US. Your draft resolution mentions the need to better coordinate assistance. I am
particularly pleased that the Quartet took up the EU’s proposal for a temporary
international mechanism to channel contributions to the basic health and social
needs of the Palestinian people.
Before handing over to Peter, let me mention four issues which you also highlight in
the resolution.
1) Energy
Both the EU and US are faced with a record-high oil price and increased
dependence on foreign supplies of fossil fuels. According to current trends the EU
will import 70% of its energy in 2030 compared to 50% today. We need to take a
holistic approach to tackling this problem, including involving our major partners. At
next month’s EU-US Summit we intend to establish a strategic cooperation on
energy, addressing:
a) energy supply security – including diversifying supply routes, enforcing market
rules, and protecting infrastructure;
b) alternative sources of energy; and
c) energy efficiency.
The key is to increase predictability by creating the right market conditions and legal
frameworks in both producer and transit countries. This is the message we will bring
to the summit with the US, and to the G8 Summit and other international partners.

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2) Visas
One of the Commission’s top priorities is to resolve the issue of the US’s non-
reciprocal application of visa requirements. Unfortunately, we’re unlikely to get a
solution soon.
But we will continue to press for rapid progress, and we will raise it with President
Bush at the summit. We will also release a second report on visa reciprocity in July,
which may propose specific measures in response to any lack of progress.
3) China
As you rightly point out in your resolution, we need to effectively coordinate our
approach to third countries, particularly China. We share the same approach:
helping China move towards democracy and integrate fully into the world market.
And two years ago we took steps to better coordinate ourselves by establishing the
EU – US dialogue on East Asia. This has proved a very useful forum for discussing
relations with China.
4) Transatlantic Partnership Agreement
Finally, let me address the issue of a possible Transatlantic Partnership Agreement.
I know this is something your Committee feels strongly about, and I fully support
your desire to see Transatlantic relations go from strength to strength.
As you know I have always been open to explore the pros and cons of a contractual
relationship with the United States. It is, in many ways, slightly strange that we do
not have more formal relations with our most important partner. However, my view is
that a formal agreement would not bring much added value to our relations. For a
start, the most important thing is that the EU and US work together for our common
strategic goals. As we have seen over the last year, all that needs is political will and
understanding. Nor would any treaty have been able to bridge the mistrust and
misunderstanding which dogged our relations in 2003 and 2004. Our ability to define
consistent EU positions towards the US would not be improved by a treaty based
structure.
We also need to face facts, there is currently no political will for such an agreement
either in the US Administration or our own member states.
That might of course change in the future, and if attitudes change or it becomes
clear that there is after all an institutional obstacle to closer cooperation, we must
certainly revisit this issue.
Honourable Members,
Let me end with a remark about the important role you play in Transatlantic
relations. As you know, I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of
interparliamentary exchanges. I am convinced that EU-US relations benefit greatly
from the links between the European Parliament and the US Congress, and I very
much encourage you to continue to build on those ties.
You have done an excellent job in establishing good relations, and I offer you my
support in going further. I also thank you for your continued support and
encouragement in ensuring that EU-US relations go from strength to strength.