Has Joe Biden’s visit re-ignited the EU-US love affair? They share history said the US vice president, and one MEP spoke of interdependence. But the Americans want their EU partners to be more vocal in their support, particularly over Afghanistan and Iran

US Vice-President in Brussels

Joe Biden is the most senior   US politician to visit the Parliament

since Ronald Reagan addressed   the house 25 years ago.

Smiles all round and   the inevitable handshake.

The Vice President's speech emphasised   the renewed strength of the relationship.

has no doubt about the need for   and strongly supports a vibrant EU.

Mr Biden reminded MEPs of   historic links shared by the EU and US.

But he called for more   support over Afghanistan

and for greater pressure on Iran   over its nuclear programme.

He urged MEPs to reverse their rejection

of the Terrorist Finance Tracking   Programme over data concerns.

It has provided critical leads to   counterterrorism investigations,

disrupting plots   and ultimately saving lives.

that ensure personal data is respected   and used only to beat terrorism.

So three main messages, but   the most important one was unspoken.

It's a clear signal   that the Bush era is over

that we're no longer going to be   dictated to by the US

as long as Obama and Joe Biden   are in the White House.

Mr Biden did stress   transatlantic interdependence,

and that was certainly   a message that struck home.

I don't think that the US needs   European support

as much as Europeans need   the support of America.

The Obama White House seems intent   on restoring good relations with Europe.