Ambassador April H. Foley
2007 US-EU Summit
Parliamentary European Affairs Committee
Budapest, Hungary
May 8, 2007
Thank you very much for your kind invitation to address the committee. I appreciate your interest in the recent US-EU Summit. I share your commitment to the enduring trans-Atlantic relationship. This is a special relationship, with a powerful impact throughout the world.
The results of the US-EU Summit were extremely positive. It was successful in expanding our strategic partnership and reinforcing our common values. In particular, we hold a deeply shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and democracy. And we share the conviction that they depend on:
Our partnership has achieved much over the years. And it is only gaining strength in its commitment to address the major challenges of our times.
I spoke last week with my friend Ambassador Boyden Gray, the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, to hear first-hand about the progress made at the Summit. He was extremely positive.
And he has every reason to be. During the German presidency, the U.S. and the EU realized significant long-standing progress:
First, we signed a Framework on Transatlantic Economic Integration. This economic package lays a long-term foundation for building a larger and more integrated transatlantic economy. It is focused on reducing regulatory burdens.
Currently, U.S.-EU trade exceeds $760 billion dollars. U.S. and EU firms have each invested over $1 trillion in each other's economies. We employ between 12 and 14 million people to generate over $3 trillion in foreign earned income.
That's a lot. But we have significantly more potential.
To enhance the climate for trade, the Framework establishes closer cooperation in the areas of
These are all issues we will each need to address at the national level as well.
Energy security was also an important topic. At the Summit we agreed to: Reinforce our strategic energy cooperation to support diversification of energy sources and supplies, secure our energy infrastructure, promote market-based energy security policies, speed the development of new lower-pollution and lower carbon-based technologies, and accelerate investment in cleaner, more efficient use of fossil sources and renewable sources.
Another major Summit accomplishment was the signing of the Air Transport Agreement. This takes a huge historic step forward in liberalizing transatlantic air traffic. This agreement will bring real benefits for consumers and airline companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Air Transport Agreement eliminates restrictive arrangements and allows every U.S. and EU carrier to fly between every city in the European Union and every city in the United States, without restriction on the number of flights, aircraft, and routes. The market will set the fares.
The European Commission estimates that, over the first five years, the new agreement will:
increase transatlantic passengers by 25 million,
generate $15 billion in consumer economic benefits
and create 80,000 new jobs.
The Summit also made great strides on Intellectual Property Rights. The implementation of the U.S.-EU Action Strategy on Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement will now be intensified. We will establish procedures to share information on sources of suspect goods.
Weak intellectual property rights enforcement poses a huge threat to our innovation-driven economies.
Innovation is the long-term driver of growth in our economies. To stimulate it further, the U.S. and EU agreed to intensify discussions on best practices to promote innovation, particularly in emerging technologies, like nanotechnology and biotechnology.
Overall, the summit made excellent progress on improving the transatlantic climate for business.
But business is not the only business of our relationship.
I know how important the visa issue is to all Hungarians ... and so do all American officials who visit Hungary. They have heard your message loud and clear. This was a topic of discussion at the Summit.
As you know, the US is working towards visa-free travel for all EU and U.S. citizens, by creating conditions by which the Visa Waiver Program may be expanded. Progress has been made on improving the freedom of movement of people between our two continents. The U.S. proposes to strengthen the security of its Visa Waiver Program and accelerate the expansion of visa-free travel. The continued efforts of individual nations to meet the requirements of our law will play a vital role in moving forward.
The U.S. and EU reaffirmed the importance of our mutual interests by adopting a declaration on political and security issues. The declaration reiterated common values. It discussed country specific issues and multilateral issues. Let me provide some highlights on each:
Common values - The US and EU share a deep conviction that peace and human development depend on the protection of individual liberty, human rights, the rule of law, economic opportunity, and the growth of strong, democratic societies. These values permeate the entire range of our discussions and important unifiers.
Country-specific issues discussed at the Summit- There is no part of the world in which the US and EU do not share interests: our relationship today is global in scope. Together, we are committed to concrete actions to strengthen liberty, prosperity, security, peace and human rights.
Of these issues, the Western Balkans were among the most pressing issues. As we all know, they are at a critical juncture. The most urgent issue is Kosovo's status. The US and EU support the efforts of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari. His comprehensive proposal provides the basis for a new UNSC Resolution. The US and EU urge the Security Council to adopt a resolution in a timely manner. Resolving the status of Kosovo will enhance the development and the stability of the entire region. I know this is of vital concern to Hungary. And Hungary can play an important role by virtue of its own experiences in political and economic transition.
Russia - A stable, prosperous and democratic Russia remains in our common interest. In our relations with Russia, the US and EU seek to promote common values such as:
political pluralism,
the rule of law,
human rights,
freedom of media,
freedom of expression
and freedom of assembly.
We will continue to note our concerns in these areas. And we will continue to work with Russia in areas of mutual interest, including non-proliferation, counterterrorism, energy security and regional issues, such as the resolution of frozen conflicts.
The US and EU are committed to continuing our long-standing dialogue on the issue of Missile Defense, a dialogue the United States wants to see based on fact, not hyperbole. The US and EU will also continue to work with Russia towards its accession to the World Trade Organization and its full embrace of free market economics.
Afghanistan - The US and EU are of course committed to continue our support for the Afghan people in building a state that respects the rights of its citizens and governs its territory effectively. Hungary continues to play a vital role in Afghanistan and I applaud your efforts.
A stable, democratic Afghanistan will prevent extremists from finding safe haven and from using Afghan territory to once again attack our nations. The US and EU will contribute to the promotion of confidence, dialogue and cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours, in particular Pakistan.
An international military presence is necessary. But military efforts alone will not bring about the peaceful, democratic future that the people of Afghanistan deserve. Therefore, the US and EU will continue - and, where possible, expedite - our civil reconstruction assistance. Hungary's PRT will continue to play a vital role, as it heightens its civil reconstruction activities.
Iran - The US and EU remain committed to efforts of the international community to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapons capability. We call on Iran to comply with its obligations to the United Nations. The United States and the European Union have worked cooperatively for several years to reach a negotiated agreement with Iran; toward this end we have offered Iran a set of far-reaching proposals that would allow Iran to pursue a civil nuclear power program while re-assuring the International Community of Iran's intentions.
The US and EU remain deeply concerned about the negative effects of Iran's policies in the region, particularly:
in Lebanon and Iraq,
its negative role in the Middle East Peace Process,
Iran's support for terrorist organisations,
and the human rights situation in Iran.
The US and EU will continue to expand our contacts with Iranian civil society and enhance academic, cultural, and business exchanges. We will seek to have our views heard within the Iranian society. We will also work together in international bodies to seek consensus to condemn Iranian threats against Israel and any denial of the Holocaust.
Iraq - The US and EU will continue to provide support to the democratically elected government of Iraq. We will work with the United Nations and the World Bank to expand their role. We will encourage expanded political and diplomatic engagement. Further financial support will focus on building Iraq's capacity to govern itself and on extending the rule of law to all.
The US and EU support the involvement of Iraq's Neighbours.
The Summit also addressed a variety of multi-lateral issues. Let me highlight a few here too:
The UN - In a world of global threats and challenges, our mutual security and prosperity increasingly depend on an effective multilateral system. Strengthening the United Nations and equipping it to fulfil its responsibilities is our common priority. The US and EU will strive to improve the effectiveness of the UN in challenging regimes intent upon violating or disregarding their citizens' human rights. We will work together with the UN in support of international action on issues such as disarmament, peacekeeping, human rights and development.
The Doha Round - Effective economic structures are an essential complement to these efforts. The US and EU will continue to work toward the successful completion of the Doha Round. There was agreement that this is a high priority for the US and EU. Terrorism - During the past year, continuing terrorist activity around the world has served as a reminder of the urgent need to intensify our work together to combat terrorism, transnational crime and corruption. The US coordinates very closely with the EU to combat terrorist financing and money laundering. This is one of our most effective tools against terrorism, and in this area we view Hungary not only as a partner but also a leader.
Organized crime and corruption - The US and EU will continue our work to counter the problems of organized crime and corruption. They pose major impediments to economic development and democracy.
The UN Convention against Corruption and the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime provide a comprehensive framework for fighting organized crime and corruption that needs to be fully implemented. Enhancing transparency is in the interests of our governments, our corporations, and our citizens.
Climate change - The United States and the European Union share a commitment to addressing energy security and global warming.
At the Summit, President Bush, Chancellor Merkel and President Barroso signed a joint statement on energy security and climate change that underlines our mutual interest. They pledged to ensure secure, affordable, and clean supplies of energy and address climate change.
This is an issue I addressed at length last week at CEU. I was gratified by the recognition of my fellow panelists that the US is taking decisive action in keeping with President Bush's commitments.
Decisive action will also be required to diversify our energy sources and energy supplies. The U.S. and EU can best address climate change by further strengthening cooperation to bring advanced energy technologies to market. Our work together on development and commercialization of biofuels, clean coal, energy efficiency and other energy technologies is already bearing fruit.
We look forward to working with centers of innovation such as Hungary's Energy Resource Center toward that end.
By focusing on concrete, practical steps that can make a real difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we are making real progress.
The news on the environment is promising, as is the news on the environment between the US and the EU.
In closing, I want to reiterate one theme. Although there are always issues that divide us, there are far far more issues that unite us. Our shared interests and values far overshadow our differences. When we focus on the issues that unite us, the US-EU union is an amazingly positive force for the world.
Thank you for your kind invitation to address the European Affairs committee, and for the opportunity to highlight our excellent progress and working relations.
Ambassador
Biography
Remarks
Deputy Chief of Mission
