During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC iand speakers of political groups take the floor to comment on the outcome of the US elections of 3 November 2020.

Outcome of the US presidential elections: extracts from the debate

Title: Outcome of the US presidential elections: extracts from the debate (I-198499)

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, For sure I would like to congratulate warmly the president elect, Joe Biden, and the vice president elect, Kamala Harris, for their historic victory. We are now looking at the opportunities to advance our strategic partnership. This morning at the college of the Commission had the first approach to this opportunity. And how are we going to manage this new era of relationship with the U.S..

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, First of all, I think that we have to welcome the clear commitment of President elect Joe Biden to restore unity and respect for democratic norms and institutions, to work with allies based on true partnership. We are a partner and a capable and strategic approach to the European Union United States relationship. This has to build on this idea of partnership. And for this reason, we have to proceed with our work to enhance what we call Europe's strategic autonomy, a word that will be very much use, I hope, in the next future.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), We wish to the new administration that they managed to tackle the COVID pandamic and that they bring together a divided Nation. We hope that the U.S. stands good with its commitments to the multilateral rules based world system. We are pleased to hear the announcement of the President elect regarding rejoining the Paris climate agreement and also returning to the World Health organisation.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), President, let's make it very clear that we are stronger if we work together, that the damage done is reversible and therefore let's do so by inviting President Biden to deliver his first foreign address in the European Parliament, because there is no better place to start to restart a new transatlantic partnership than at the heart of the European democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Hilde VAUTMANS (RE, BE), This commission promised to be a geopolitical commission. We have the perfect opportunity now to show the Americans we mean business by going forward with European Defence Union, by creating a real European migration policy, by building a European intelligence capacity that is able to combat terrorism on the same level as American agencies, colleagues. Mr. Biden is a friend of Europe, but he also is an important architect of the American China strategy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Lesson learnt for Europe is that it needs to send more on its own feet, and in order to be able to do that, we need to also stand stronger together and more firmly for that. We need to have a common understanding of fundamental values, because if we don't know on what grounds we stand as a union, then we cannot grow.

Outcome of the US presidential elections: extracts from the debate

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