The United States Ambassador to the European Union (EU) William E. Kennard praised the transatlantic relationship while stressing multilateral diplomacy on Wednesday.
"It is a unique moment for the transatlantic relationship," Kennard said, "We have the opportunity to reframe and reinvigorate this
partnership."
When addressing a breakfast briefing, Kennard outlined the priorities for President Barack Obama, including climate change talks, nuclear disarmament, non proliferation, and a more engaged Middle East policy.
To achieve these goals, Kennard said, the U.S. has to change the way it interacts with the world. He gave an example as saying that Americans need to reduce their own nuclear arsenal to work toward the goal of global non
proliferation.
"The responsibilities must be shared amongst international partners of the U.S.," he said, adding that there is no other better partner for what the U.S. is trying to accomplish in the world than the EU, because the two sides have "meaningful alignment" on many issues.
According to the ambassador, the U.S. and the EU agreed on a declaration on non nuclear proliferation and disarmament.
"We welcome the EU's effort in this area," he said.
Kennard said the U.S. also appreciated the support of its European allies in Afghanistan. "We recognize that for our strategy in Afghanistan to be successful, we need civilian structures that will create jobs and economic growth."
At the briefing, the ambassador gave a welcome to Herman Van Rompuy's participation on the world stage, describing the permanent president of the Council of the EU as "a very talented and able man."
As to the relationship between the EU and NATO led by the U.S., Kennard said: "We recognize that the EU is committed to deploy its own defence capability and it has been very helpful to the United States and the world, in places like Somalia and Eastern Europe."
"What we are hoping to do is make sure there is a coordination between EU forces and NATO, and make sure that forces deployed by the EU are
additive and not to the expenses of NATO," the ambassador stressed.