Strasbourg, 5 October 2021
The Members of the European Parliament will vote this week on the report on the future of the EU-US relations. Ahead of the voting session, they discussed the transatlantic relations in a plenary debate with High Representative Josep Borrell. As shadow rapporteur, Željana Zovko negotiated the report for the EPP Group. During her intervention in the debate she said that “the EU-US relationship should grow based on good communication and coordination as the anchors of stability in this volatile world.”
Zovko underlined that the European Union and the United States of America share a unique bond based on common values, principles and interests and referred to the commitments made by the political leaders at the EU-US Summit in June this year. “However, over the last weeks, we have seen some reality checks that have tested our relations in matters of foreign affairs, security and trade.” she said and added that the EPP has proposed the creation of a Transatlantic Political Council as a platform to improve our communication channels and to avoid unnecessary tensions. Zovko highlighted the crucial role that parliamentary diplomacy can play in building bridges with EU’s close and important transatlantic ally.
“With the EU-US Joint Covid Response we commit ourselves as technological leaders and pursue the facilitation of global vaccination platforms. I personally see this approach as the only way to fight vaccine nationalism and inequality.”
According to Zovko, the Transatlantic partnership would not be complete if there is no clear cooperation on foreign and security affairs. She said that the transatlantic alliance remains fundamental for the security and the stability of the European continent, as NATO is the foundation of Europe’s collective defence. “In the search of a middle way between European strategic autonomy and the total reliance on our transatlantic partners, we need to grow together, into a new relation that will be more beneficial for our mutual peace and security missions, based on our experiences in the Western Balkans and the Sahel.”
The vote on the amendments will take place on Tuesday and the final vote on the report is scheduled for Wednesday.