US eyes closer cooperation, partnership with EU - official

BRUSSELS, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- US Vice President Mike Pence affirmed his country's strong commitment to deepen cooperation and partnership with the EU.
"The United States commitment to the EU is steadfast and enduring," Pence told a joint press conference after meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk.
Pence also affirmed the US government's aspiration to boost the political and economic partnership with the 28-member European bloc.
"Our economies are the world's largest accounting for half of the world's economic output. Transatlantic commerce supports 14 million jobs. Today we reaffirm our commitment to free fair and flourishing economies," he stressed.
Pence called on EU to intensify efforts and greater intelligence cooperation with the US to counter the threat of radical Islamic terrorism here in the continent and in the global fight against terrorism.
On Russia, he said in the wake of "Russian efforts to redraw international borders we will continue to support efforts in Poland and the Baltic states through NATO's enhanced forward presence." On Ukraine, he said Washington will continue to hold Moscow accountable and demand that Russia honors the Minsk agreement beginning by de-escalating the violence in eastern Ukraine.
Pence also added that the US will also search new ways for new common ground with Russia.
For his part, Tusk said "I heard words which are promising for the future, words which explain a lot about the approach of the new administration in Washington." "I asked the Vice President directly if he shared my opinions on three key matters: the international order, security and the attitude of the new American administration towards the European Union," said Tusk.
"In reply to these three matters, I heard today from Vice President Pence three times 'yes'! After such a positive declaration, both Europeans and Americans must simply practice what they preach," he added.
Later, Pence met the President of the European Council Jean Claude Juncker, who expressed his happiness that the US Vice President chose Europe as the destination his first overseas trip.
He came to Brussels after attending the security conference in Munich, Germany.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Juncker said they will address all the issues which are common to Europe.
"We are partners in the world. The global stability is heavily dependent on the good relations between the US and EU. The US needs a strong united EU," said Juncker.
Earlier, Pence also held talks with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.
In a statement Mogherini said that they had an in depth exchange on the common priorities, from Syria to Ukraine, from Libya to the Middle East, from Afghanistan to North Korea.
As chairperson of the Joint commission, Mogherini stressed the need to preserve and fully implement the Iran nuclear deal.
Mogherini and Pence also shared views on how to deepen and strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism, in particular in the context of the coalition against the so-called Islamic State (IS).
The US Vice President will later meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters. (end) nk.ma