Der Leyen: Broad common ground between EU, US

BRUSSELS, May 18 (KUNA) -- Chairperson of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen on Sunday affirmed that there is wide common ground between the union and the United States reflecting a trans-Atlantic partnership.
Der Leyen, in remarks she posted on X website after a meeting in Rome that grouped her with the US Vice President GD Vance and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said the meeting was good, affirming that the EU and the US share a broad common ground as strong partners.
The European Commission president said she shares with the American side a desire to reach an agreement on trade.
On Ukraine, der Leyen said she and the Americans want a cease-fire that leads to a just and lasting peace for this nation.
The US vice president, in televised remarks, said the meeting depicted strength of the US-EU relationship however he acknowledged there have been some differences between the two sides.
For her part, Meloni said in remarks on X that Italy would support dialogue between Washington and Brussels to thrash out the disputes.
The meeting was held against the background of a declaration by US President Donald Trump in April, imposing 20 percent tariffs on most imported European goods. Although Washington has suspended excution of Trump's decision until July, the Europeans have remained quite concerned that the levies might lead to a trade war between the two powers. (end) arn.rk