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89th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, 8-9 Nov, Texas
89th EU-US INTER-PARLIAMENTARY MEETING OF THE TRANSATLANTIC LEGISLATIORS' DIALOGUE
The 89th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue (TLD) took place on 8 and 9 November 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas.
During the meetings, 15 Members of the European Parliament - led by Mr Brando BENIFEI (S&D - Italy), Chair of the standing Delegation for relations with the United States (D-US) - and 6 Members of the US House of Representatives - led by Representative Nathaniel Moran (Republican, Texas) - discussed strengthening transatlantic cooperation in the digital, security and defence, energy security and food security areas
MEPs were also able to exchange with US guest speakers with judicial, political and academic backgrounds from the local, state and federal levels. The Members also visited the site of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
At the end of the formal TLD meeting, the TLD Co-Chairs, MEP Benifei and Rep. Moran, together with the D-US 1st Vice-Chair MEP Sophie Wilmès (Renew - Belgium) and the US TLD Ranking Member Rep. Jim Costa (Democrats, California) signed a Joint Statement outlining the conclusions from their discussion and setting the scope for the TLD's future work
The 90th meeting of the TLD is expected to take place in Poland towards the summer of 2025.
88th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, 4-5 April 2024, Brussels
The 88th Inter-parliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) between EU and US lawmakers took place on 4 and 5 April 2024 in the European Parliament in Brussels.
During the meetings, 20 Members of the Parliament - led by Danuta Hübner (EPP - Poland), Chair of the standing Delegation for relations with the United States - and 4 Members of the US House of Representatives - led by Congressman Nathaniel Moran (Republican, Texas) - heard from expert speakers and held discussions on transatlantic cooperation in the following areas:
At the end of the meeting, the TLD Co-Chairs, MEP Hübner and Representative Moran, together with the EU TLD Vice-Chair MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D - Finland) and the US TLD Ranking Member Rep. Jim Costa (Democrats, California), signed a joint statement outlining the conclusions from their discussion and setting the scope for the TLD's future work.
The 89th meeting of the TLD is expected to take place in the United States towards the end of 2024.
During the meetings, 20 Members of the Parliament - led by Danuta Hübner (EPP - Poland), Chair of the standing Delegation for relations with the United States - and 4 Members of the US House of Representatives - led by Congressman Nathaniel Moran (Republican, Texas) - heard from expert speakers and held discussions on transatlantic cooperation in the following areas:
- Transatlantic economic security at a time of increased competition with China;
- European defence initiatives and NATO enlargement;
- Support to Ukraine and sanctions coordination.
At the end of the meeting, the TLD Co-Chairs, MEP Hübner and Representative Moran, together with the EU TLD Vice-Chair MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D - Finland) and the US TLD Ranking Member Rep. Jim Costa (Democrats, California), signed a joint statement outlining the conclusions from their discussion and setting the scope for the TLD's future work.
The 89th meeting of the TLD is expected to take place in the United States towards the end of 2024.
TLD Leadership
In January 2024, Danuta Hübner, a Member of the European Parliament from Poland belonging to the EPP group, was elected Chair of the Delegation for relations with the US (D-US) in the European Parliament.
As Chair of the D-US, Ms Hübner became EU Co-Chair of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD). The delegation Vice-Chairs, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri and Billy Kelleher are also Vice-Chairs of the TLD.
Representative Nathaniel Moran (Republican, Texas) was appointed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as the US TLD Co-Chair. Representative Jim Costa (Democrat, California) is the Ranking Member from the Democrats.
As Chair of the D-US, Ms Hübner became EU Co-Chair of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD). The delegation Vice-Chairs, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri and Billy Kelleher are also Vice-Chairs of the TLD.
Representative Nathaniel Moran (Republican, Texas) was appointed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as the US TLD Co-Chair. Representative Jim Costa (Democrat, California) is the Ranking Member from the Democrats.
87th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, 30 Nov-2 Dec 2023, Washington D.C.
Members of the European Parliament joined representatives from the U.S. Congress in Washington DC on December 1 and 2. The legislators' meeting was led by co-chairs Radosław Sikorski on the EU side and Nathaniel Moran on the US side.
Legislators on both sides of the Atlantic have similar concerns. What dominated the agenda were discussions on support for Ukraine, food security, energy, China, the situation in the Middle East, and the development of Artificial Intelligence. They had a chance to listen to and discuss with the leading experts in these areas.
''The shared history and common values that bind our alliance together - democracy, the rule of law, and freedom - remain our key compass in this era of geopolitical strife and rise in authoritarianism that we are living'' - underlined the European and American legislators in the joint statement after this 87th meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD). The full text can be found below.
Legislators on both sides of the Atlantic have similar concerns. What dominated the agenda were discussions on support for Ukraine, food security, energy, China, the situation in the Middle East, and the development of Artificial Intelligence. They had a chance to listen to and discuss with the leading experts in these areas.
''The shared history and common values that bind our alliance together - democracy, the rule of law, and freedom - remain our key compass in this era of geopolitical strife and rise in authoritarianism that we are living'' - underlined the European and American legislators in the joint statement after this 87th meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD). The full text can be found below.
85th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, 1-3 December 2022, Washington D.C.
The 85th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting under the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) took place in Washington DC, from 1 to 3 December 2022.
The main discussion topics included Ukraine; the EU-US Trade and Technology Council; Inflation and EU/US domestic economic priorities; China and critical supply chains; Climate and energy security following COP27 and Transatlantic cooperation on the Iranian human rights situation. Besides Washington DC, Members of Parliament and Members of Congress held part of their meeting sessions at Mount Vernon, an American landmark and former estate of the first president of the United States, George Washington.
The aim of the meeting between the European and American lawmakers was to take stock of the legislative agendas on both sides of the Atlantic and to exchange views on how to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in common areas such as support of Ukraine, where both Houses have responsibility.
The EP delegation was led by TLD Co-Chair Radosław SIKORSKI (European Peoples' Party, Poland) who chairs the Parliament's Delegation for relations with the US. It was composed of 14 MEPs from 7 political groups. The Congress Delegation was bipartisan and led by TLD Co-Chair Jim COSTA (Democrat, California).
The main discussion topics included Ukraine; the EU-US Trade and Technology Council; Inflation and EU/US domestic economic priorities; China and critical supply chains; Climate and energy security following COP27 and Transatlantic cooperation on the Iranian human rights situation. Besides Washington DC, Members of Parliament and Members of Congress held part of their meeting sessions at Mount Vernon, an American landmark and former estate of the first president of the United States, George Washington.
The aim of the meeting between the European and American lawmakers was to take stock of the legislative agendas on both sides of the Atlantic and to exchange views on how to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in common areas such as support of Ukraine, where both Houses have responsibility.
The EP delegation was led by TLD Co-Chair Radosław SIKORSKI (European Peoples' Party, Poland) who chairs the Parliament's Delegation for relations with the US. It was composed of 14 MEPs from 7 political groups. The Congress Delegation was bipartisan and led by TLD Co-Chair Jim COSTA (Democrat, California).
84th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) of the TLD, 21-22 May 2022, Paris
The 84th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) took place on 21-22 May 2022 in Paris at the Embassy of Romania to France and in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne at the Jean Monnet House.
During the IPM, 10 Members of the European Parliament - led by MEP Radosław Sikorski (EPP - PL), Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the United States and European Parliament co-Chair of the TLD - and 8 Members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress - led by Congressman Jim Costa (D - California), the US Co-Chair of the TLD - discussed transatlantic dialogue and cooperation and held lively exchanges on topical policy issues, such as transatlantic support to Ukraine, the policy stance towards Russia and China, EU-US Transatlantic Dialogue on Trade and Technology, energy security and climate. US Ambassador to the European Union, H.E. Mark Gitenstein, Romania's Ambassador to France, H.E. Luca Niculescu and EEAS Managing Director for the Americas Brian Glynn delivered remarks on the first day of the IPM and participated in the works of the TLD.
The IPM also saw the participation of senior officials from the European Commission and experts from the EU Institute for Security Studies. The session on Transatlantic dialogue and cooperation on support for Ukraine saw the participation of H.E. Rustem Umerov, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, who briefed the European Parliament and US Congress delegation about the situation in Ukraine and the role of the international community in supporting Ukraine's aspirations for peace, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
At the end of this IPM, the TLD co-Chairs, Messrs. Sikorski and Costa, together with the Vice-Chairs of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the United States, Ms Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D - FI) and Mr Nicolae Ștefănuță (Renew - RO), signed a Joint Statement defining further the outcome of the discussion and the scope for transatlantic dialogue and cooperation for the future.
The 85th Inter-Parliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue is expected to take place in Washington, DC in early December 2022.
During the IPM, 10 Members of the European Parliament - led by MEP Radosław Sikorski (EPP - PL), Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the United States and European Parliament co-Chair of the TLD - and 8 Members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress - led by Congressman Jim Costa (D - California), the US Co-Chair of the TLD - discussed transatlantic dialogue and cooperation and held lively exchanges on topical policy issues, such as transatlantic support to Ukraine, the policy stance towards Russia and China, EU-US Transatlantic Dialogue on Trade and Technology, energy security and climate. US Ambassador to the European Union, H.E. Mark Gitenstein, Romania's Ambassador to France, H.E. Luca Niculescu and EEAS Managing Director for the Americas Brian Glynn delivered remarks on the first day of the IPM and participated in the works of the TLD.
The IPM also saw the participation of senior officials from the European Commission and experts from the EU Institute for Security Studies. The session on Transatlantic dialogue and cooperation on support for Ukraine saw the participation of H.E. Rustem Umerov, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, who briefed the European Parliament and US Congress delegation about the situation in Ukraine and the role of the international community in supporting Ukraine's aspirations for peace, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
At the end of this IPM, the TLD co-Chairs, Messrs. Sikorski and Costa, together with the Vice-Chairs of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the United States, Ms Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (S&D - FI) and Mr Nicolae Ștefănuță (Renew - RO), signed a Joint Statement defining further the outcome of the discussion and the scope for transatlantic dialogue and cooperation for the future.
The 85th Inter-Parliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue is expected to take place in Washington, DC in early December 2022.
European Parliament meets US Congress in Paris and Bazoches-sur-Guyonne
The 84th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting under the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) will take place on 21 and 22 May 2022 in Paris and Bazoches-sur-Guyonne (Jean Monnet House). The main discussion topics include Ukraine, Russia, China, EU-US Transatlantic Dialogue on Trade and Technology, energy security and climate.
The aim of the meeting is to take stock of the current legislative agendas on both sides of the Atlantic and to exchange views on how to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in common policy areas such as support of Ukraine where both Houses have responsibility.
The EP delegation is led by TLD Co-Chair Radosław SIKORSKI (European People's Party, Poland) who chairs the Parliament's Delegation for relations with the United States. It will be composed of 10 MEPs from 5 political groups. TLD Steering Committee Co-Chair Bernd LANGE (S&D, Germany) also participates. The Congress Delegation is bipartisan and composed of 10 Representatives sitting on various House committees, including Foreign Affairs, Ways and Means, Homeland Security and Energy and Commerce. It is led by TLD Co-Chair Jim COSTA (Democrat, California)Statement by the TLD Co-Chairs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), Jim Costa and Radek Sikorski, issued a statement following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
''We, the European and American Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, are united in expressing our complete support and solidarity for the people and government of Ukraine in the face of the unprovoked, unjustifiable and criminal attack launched by Putin and his kleptocratic regime.''
''We, the European and American Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, are united in expressing our complete support and solidarity for the people and government of Ukraine in the face of the unprovoked, unjustifiable and criminal attack launched by Putin and his kleptocratic regime.''
Statement by the TLD Co-Chairs on the passing of the EP President, David Sassoli
First Trade and Technology Council Meeting: TLD Statement
The Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), Representative Jim Costa, Chair Radosław Sikorski and Vice-Chair Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, issued a statement welcoming the first annual meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on September 29th, 2021.
The full text of the statement is under the link below:
The full text of the statement is under the link below:
Statement by TLD Co-Chairs
On 21 July 2021, the Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), MEP Radosław Sikorski and Representative Jim Costa, issued the following statement upon the conclusion of the TLD in the 117th Congress in Washington DC:
"We took the opportunity to stress that we are not just resetting this essential relationship, but are working to build it back even stronger so that we can work together to address jointly the many significant challenges that we face at this time.
"On response to the coronavirus pandemic, we applaud the remarkable scientific breakthroughs that have allowed safe and effective vaccines to be developed so quickly. We called on everyone to be vaccinated as soon as they can and for vaccines to be made available to middle and low-income countries as soon as possible. Vaccines save lives. The European side called for reciprocity from the United States in lifting coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
"We acknowledged that climate change is not just a future threat, but is here with us today as we see floods in Western Europe and fires in California and Oregon. We agreed that the European Union and the United States must lead together. We have not only the opportunity, but the moral obligation to future generations to act now.
"We discussed how best we can develop a common approach to a rising China in order to remain competitive, to safeguard jobs and prosperity, to defend and promote democratic values. We must stand firm in the face of provocation, and resist attempts to uproot and overturn longstanding international norms that the Transatlantic alliance has worked so hard to uphold over more than seven decades.
"We called on the US and EU to step up efforts to deliver results at Ministerial Conference 12 (MC12) and to establish a work program to reform the World Trade Organization. We welcomed the progress under the new administration to solve longstanding trade irritants and hope solutions can be found for the outstanding issues that remain. We stressed the need to find a permanent, broader settlement to address subsidies and overcapacity. We support joint actions to set standards in the technology space which reflect our principles and values. We welcomed the newly established Trade and Technology Council and called for it to have a significant parliamentary dimension.
"We stressed the paramount importance of safeguarding the peace and prosperity which has been underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement for the people on the Island of Ireland. We called upon the government of the United Kingdom to implement fully the agreement which they themselves recently entered into, and to fulfill their treaty obligations.
"These two days have confirmed the vibrancy of this cooperation between legislators across the Atlantic, coinciding with the relaunch of the Congressional European Union Caucus, and we have agreed to continue our work together in Slovenia this Fall."
The European Parliament delegation consisted of Radosław Sikorski (TLD Co-Chair, Poland, EPP), Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (Finland, S&D), Nicolae Ștefănuță (Romania, RENEW), David McAllister (Germany, EPP) and Bernd Lange (Germany, S&D).
"We took the opportunity to stress that we are not just resetting this essential relationship, but are working to build it back even stronger so that we can work together to address jointly the many significant challenges that we face at this time.
"On response to the coronavirus pandemic, we applaud the remarkable scientific breakthroughs that have allowed safe and effective vaccines to be developed so quickly. We called on everyone to be vaccinated as soon as they can and for vaccines to be made available to middle and low-income countries as soon as possible. Vaccines save lives. The European side called for reciprocity from the United States in lifting coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
"We acknowledged that climate change is not just a future threat, but is here with us today as we see floods in Western Europe and fires in California and Oregon. We agreed that the European Union and the United States must lead together. We have not only the opportunity, but the moral obligation to future generations to act now.
"We discussed how best we can develop a common approach to a rising China in order to remain competitive, to safeguard jobs and prosperity, to defend and promote democratic values. We must stand firm in the face of provocation, and resist attempts to uproot and overturn longstanding international norms that the Transatlantic alliance has worked so hard to uphold over more than seven decades.
"We called on the US and EU to step up efforts to deliver results at Ministerial Conference 12 (MC12) and to establish a work program to reform the World Trade Organization. We welcomed the progress under the new administration to solve longstanding trade irritants and hope solutions can be found for the outstanding issues that remain. We stressed the need to find a permanent, broader settlement to address subsidies and overcapacity. We support joint actions to set standards in the technology space which reflect our principles and values. We welcomed the newly established Trade and Technology Council and called for it to have a significant parliamentary dimension.
"We stressed the paramount importance of safeguarding the peace and prosperity which has been underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement for the people on the Island of Ireland. We called upon the government of the United Kingdom to implement fully the agreement which they themselves recently entered into, and to fulfill their treaty obligations.
"These two days have confirmed the vibrancy of this cooperation between legislators across the Atlantic, coinciding with the relaunch of the Congressional European Union Caucus, and we have agreed to continue our work together in Slovenia this Fall."
The European Parliament delegation consisted of Radosław Sikorski (TLD Co-Chair, Poland, EPP), Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (Finland, S&D), Nicolae Ștefănuță (Romania, RENEW), David McAllister (Germany, EPP) and Bernd Lange (Germany, S&D).
Transatlantic parliamentary dialogue
On 29 June, a virtual event was organized by the Portuguese Assembleia da República, the European Parliament, and the United States House of Representatives on the importance of transatlantic dialogue. There were three pre-recorded speeches made by the President of the Assembleia da República, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, the President of the European Parliament, David Maria Sassoli, and a conversation between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and Congressman Jim Costa.
See the link below for more information and to watch the speeches and dialogue.
See the link below for more information and to watch the speeches and dialogue.
Statement by TLD Co-Chairs
Statement by Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue Co-Chairs Jim Costa and Radosław Sikorski on U.S. President Biden’s Trip to Europe.
The Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, Jim Costa and Radosław Sikorski, hailed the success of President Joseph R. Biden's June 2021 visit to Europe for the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, and the EU-US summit.
The Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, Jim Costa and Radosław Sikorski, hailed the success of President Joseph R. Biden's June 2021 visit to Europe for the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, and the EU-US summit.
Co-Chairs of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue: Jim Costa (D-CA), Radek Sikorski (MEP, EPP, PL)
Enhancing exchanges
The Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) works to enhance exchanges between legislators working in the European Parliament and the US Congress. It was officially established as a formal response by Parliament and Congress to the commitments set in the New Transatlantic Agenda of 1995.
In practical terms, the TLD comprises bi-annual meetings alternately in Europe and the US. When these meetings are held in the EU, they usually take place in the capital of the country holding the EU presidency while the meetings in Washington, DC also provide an opportunity for MEPs to engage with US Senators.
The aim of the dialogue is to maintain policy-oriented cooperation in key areas, especially where the two Houses have responsibility as legislators.
In practical terms, the TLD comprises bi-annual meetings alternately in Europe and the US. When these meetings are held in the EU, they usually take place in the capital of the country holding the EU presidency while the meetings in Washington, DC also provide an opportunity for MEPs to engage with US Senators.
The aim of the dialogue is to maintain policy-oriented cooperation in key areas, especially where the two Houses have responsibility as legislators.