Written answers

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

European External Action Service

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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398. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he expects relations between the EU and the US to prosper over the next four years; his views on the importance of such a good relationship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4193/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The EU and the United States enjoy close diplomatic and political relations as well as enduring economic, cultural and people-to-people connections, which span across the political spectrum in the US. The EU is strongly committed to the transatlantic partnership and is eager to work with the new US Administration in addressing the key global challenges of our times.

I welcome the EU's new transatlantic agenda and look forward to working with the new Administration on strengthening this relationship. We hope that Secretary of State-designate Antony Blinken will join a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in the coming months.

There will be no shortage of areas where the EU and US can usefully work together, particularly with regard to cooperation on COVID-19, combatting climate change, working together on trade and technology, and promoting peace and security. I welcome moves already taken by the US to re-join the 2015 Paris climate agreement and reverse the process of leaving the World Health Organisation.

For our part, Ireland is well-placed to play a constructive role in promoting closer EU-US relations. We are a committed member of the European Union and we contribute to and benefit enormously from that membership. At the same time, Ireland has strong ties in the US, with members of the US Congress and with contacts from across the political spectrum.

We will work to deepen the EU–US relationship and to encourage greater political and economic cooperation between us. We also look forward to a close working relationship with EU partners and with the US on the UN Security Councilto strengthen the UN’s ability to address global challenges.

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