TLD IS INTERPARLIAMENTARY EXCHANGE WITH EUROPEAN UNION TO WORK ON SUCH ISSUES AS SECURITY, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND FOOD SAFETY
 

Washington, Jun 1 -

The Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), appointed Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) to the Chairmanship of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (TLD).  The TLD seeks to enhance discussions and cooperation between the European Parliament and the U.S. Congress.  “I thank the Speaker for this appointment,” said Stearns.  “Looking at greater cooperation between the United States and the European Union (EU), it is important to strengthen trade harmonization while respecting the sovereignty of each nation, and to work together toward greater prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The TLD strengthens political dialogue between European and American legislators that has resulted in a significantly closer EU-U.S. relationship at a variety of levels.  Among the major issues for the TLD are transportation security-- focusing on cross-border security and visa and cargo harmonization; financial services and improving financial stability; and agriculture, specifically food safety and genetically modified organisms.  Added Stearns, “As Chairman of the American delegation, I look forward to working with my counterpart from the EU, Elmar Brok, a German Member of the European Parliament; as well EU Ambassador to the United States, Joao Vale de Almeida; and our Ambassador to the EU, William Kennard.”

“Through the TLD, I want to encourage the EU to move toward greater freedoms, especially in the marketplace, and to outline the benefits of limited government and regulatory relief,” said Stearns.  “We now have a new majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and we should reinforce the need for an open dialogue to establish priorities and an agenda to improve relations and to promote greater economic growth and security here in our nation and in the EU, which represents 27 countries.”