AS LEADER OF THE U.S. DELGATION STEARNS SIGNS JOINT AGREEMENT WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS

WASHINGTON, DEC. 4, 2011 – “The United States and the European Union share many interests, especially in overcoming this period of slow economic and sluggish job growth,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns R-Sixth) Chairman of the U.S. Delegation to the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (TLD).  “With a combined population slightly over 818 million or about 12% of the world's population, the two partners produce around 50 percent of the world's GDP.  In hosting this meeting, I appreciated this chance to showcase Jacksonville for member of the European Parliament.  I look forward to building upon the progress we made today in global cooperation.”

The TLD is a biannual parliamentary exchange between Members of Congress and Members of the European Parliament.   Chairman Stearns and Chairman Brok, leader of the European delegation and a member of the European Parliament, concluded the meetings by signing a Joint Statement. 

Preamble to the Joint Statement*:  “We, the Members of the European Parliament and the United States House of Representatives, held our 71st Interparliamentary meeting (Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue) in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2-4 December 2011. In the light of developments and priorities in our countries, we discussed in particular the economic and financial crisis as well as transport security on the basis of the preparatory work of specialised working groups. We reasserted the importance of regular and open discussion and agreed to report back to our parent bodies.“

The Join Statement further outlines the topics discussed and ongoing efforts in each area:  Transatlantic political and economic challenges, Sovereign debt crisis and financial governance, Transport security, and European Union –United States Foreign policy and security cooperation.