LOC13:46
10:46 GMT
BRUSSELS, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- European Union leaders Wednesday expressed their relief over the change of guard at the White House and said that Joe Biden's inauguration as the new US President later today offers a new era for EU-US relationship.
"This day brings good news: The United States is back. And Europe stands ready. To reconnect with an old and trusted partner, to breathe new life into our cherished alliance," President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, told the European Parliament in Brussels in a speech earlier today.
"The relief that many of us are feeling about the change of administration in Washington should not blind us to the fact that, although Donald Trump's presidency may be history in just a few hours, his movement will not," she said.
Von der Leyen noted that more than 70 million Americans voted for Trump in the election. "Just a few days ago, several hundred of them stormed the Capitol in Washington, the heart of American democracy. The television images of that event shocked us all.
"Despite our deep-rooted confidence in our European democracy, we are not immune to similar events," warned the head of the EU's executive body.
On his part, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in his speech to the European Parliament noting that Biden takes the oath of office as the 46th President of the United said " this will be - I hope - a day of peaceful transition.
"Today is more than a transition. Today is an opportunity to rejuvenate our transatlantic relationship, which has greatly suffered in the last four years," said Michel.
He suggested that the EU and US work on five priorities.
"First, boosting multilateral cooperation. Second, combatting Covid-19. Third, tackling climate change. Fourth, rebuilding our economies, ensuring fair trade, and promoting a digital transformation. And fifth, joining forces on security and peace. This won't be easy. But together, we are up to the challenge," he said.
"The EU and US, we have our differences. And they will not magically disappear," added Michel. (end)
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