Costa hosts 85th EU-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary meeting of TLD
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) hosted the 85th EU-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (TLD) in Washington, D.C. Members focused on strengthening transatlantic cooperation to tackle global inflation, enhance energy security, and protect human rights around the globe. Costa is Co-Chairman of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue.
The Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue supports relationships between members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament. The inter-parliamentary group meets twice per year, once in the United States and once in Europe. Created in 1999, the dialogue is committed to bipartisanship and focuses on issues of mutual concern between the United States and the European Union, including trade, economic policy, energy and climate policy, data protection, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity.
“The Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue is working to address the most critical challenges that we face today,”said Costa.“These discussions reaffirm our efforts to tackle global inflation, enhance our energy security, and support Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty. The United States and European Union will continue to lead together to defend and promote democratic values around the globe.”
During the meeting, the delegations exchanged views on the following issues:
- Defense and humanitarian needs of Ukraine
- Democratic reform in Ukraine and Moldova
- Transatlantic cooperation on Iranian human rights abuses
- The transatlantic trade and digital agenda
- U.S. and EU domestic economic priorities to tackle global Inflation
- China and critical supply chains
- Climate change and energy security
For more detail on the meeting, read the joint statement of the 85th Inter-Parliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue here.
Members of the U.S. delegation included: Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Joe Wilson (SC-02), French Hill (AR-02), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Dean Phillips (MN-03), John Garamendi (CA-03), David Price (NC-04), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Ed Case (HI-01), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Tom O’ Halleran (AZ-01).
“The Transatlantic Legislator’s Dialogue is an important multilateral forum that strengthens the bonds between the U.S. and our European allies. I had the privilege of leading a session on our shared trade and technology goals this year. Our discussion highlighted the importance of harnessing trade and innovation to address climate change and create the good-paying jobs of the future. We also discussed digital trade and the importance of promoting free, open, and secure cross-border data flows to strengthen our economies and counter digital authoritarianism like we are seeing in China. I am eager to continue this work in the years to come and want to give a special thank you to Rep. Costa, MEP Sikorski, and Amb. Kornbluh for their leadership in organizing this event.”said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01)
“I am grateful to have spent the day at the 85th Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue engaging with my bipartisan colleagues from Congress and from the European Parliament. We discussed issues affecting citizens on both sides of the Atlantic from war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Biden’s burdensome cost of so-called "green energy" deals, the threat the murderous Iranian regime poses to global peace, and how we can work together to counteract inflation. I appreciated discussing how we can work together to better the lives of the citizens of the U.S. and European Union,” said Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02)
“The 85th EU-US Inter-Parliamentary Meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue was a resounding success in terms of reaffirming the strategic, economic, and security relationship between the United States and the European Union. Our meeting renewed and reinforced the foundation of the US and EU partnership, which is based on our common history and values, including the principles of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and free, open societies and markets. With democracy under attack from autocrats, domestic extremist ideologues, and other purveyors of illiberalism around the globe, it is more important than ever to stand up for democracy and ensure that all citizens have a voice in their government. I am proud to have been a part of the 85th Transatlantic Legislators’ s Dialogue and will continue to fight for democracy both here in the United States and abroad.”said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
“It is imperative that we continue discussions with our EU partners as it relates to Russia’s ongoing brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine. We need to hold Putin accountable for his crimes and ensure that all nations understand that there is substantial economic, diplomatic cost for any country that attacks or invades another sovereign nation.” said Congressman French Hill (AR-02)
“Thanks to Ambassador John Herbst and Hon. Radoslaw Sikorski for an informed discussion on Ukrainian defense. The resolve and will of the Ukrainian people are remarkable and contributing to significant wins against Russia’s military, though the U.S. should continue assisting Ukrainian forces,” said Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20).“Our support for their self-defense must be unwavering and unyielding. Congress should also accelerate efforts to improve and better align U.S.-European security and humanitarian capabilities to promote peace and stability across the European continent.”
Photos from the meetings are available here.
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