Politics

REMARKS BY EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRES. C. MICHELS AHED OF US-EU SUMMIT

TO BE HELD IN WHITE HOUSE, 23 OCT 23


EU Leaders visit Pres. Biden , White House (Source: White House, courtesy)
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USPA NEWS - Today, US President Joe Biden welcomed European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Usula von der Leyen for the second U.S. – EU Summit since President Biden took office. The leaders discussed tackling global challenges together – including support for Israel and Ukraine.

The two European Leaders, Charles, Michels, President of European Council, and Ursula Vo De Lyen, President of European Commission, arrived in Washington DC, welcomed by the U.S President Joe Biden, ahead of a EU/US Summit, to be held, on 23 October 23.
The three leaders are committed to working together to strengthen the rules-based international order, ensure economic security and discuss areas of further cooperation, especially in the tensions in the Middle East area, following the supra violent attack led by the Hamas, last 7 October, in South of Israel, killing thousands of civilians, and hundreds of hostages (Number exact unavailable, so far).
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The two European Leaders, Charles, Michels, President of European Council, and Ursula Vo De Lyen, President of European Commission, arrived in Washington DC, welcomed by the U.S President Joe Biden, ahead of a EU/US Summit, to be held, on 23 October 23. The three leaders are committed to working together to strengthen the rules-based international order, ensure economic security and discuss areas of further cooperation, especially in the tensions in the Middle East area, following the supra violent attack led by the Hamas, last 7 October, in South of Israel, killing thousands of civilians, and hundreds of hostages (Number exact unavailable, so far). According to AFP, Israel has been at war since Gaza's Hamas militants staged an unprecedented attack on October 7 in which its gunmen shot, stabbed and mutilated people in a surprise onslaught that shocked the nation.Earlier Monday, Egypt and France’s foreign ministers urged the delivery of humanitarian aid and the exit of foreign nationals from the bombarded Gaza Strip,  as the war between Israel and Hamas entered its tenth day. (Source: AFP)
Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu, promised a military response to be remembered for « decades to come », and aims to use the full force of the Israeli Military against Gaza strip’s Hamas terror.
Last Wednesday the American President Joe Biden, went to Israel on a very express trip, met with Israeli’s PM Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. He sent an empathetic message of support to Israel, and promising aid, in the lien of that military action. The U.S President, took also part of few talks with other Israeli leaders amid the humanitarian corridors, fro enabling access to aid and assistance to the Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip and West Bank at the same time, via Egypt.
In light of this context, the European Leaders are holding a US-EU Summit, from the White House, and in that matter, Charles Michels, delivered remarks, ahead of the Summit. We publish the full text of this speech, as was delivered, 21 October 2023.
We publish the full text of this speech, as was delivered, 21 October 2023.
REMARKS BY EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRES. C. MICHELS AHEAD OF US-EU SUMMIT
“Thank you, dear President, for your warm words.
The EU and US share a special bond. We are more than close allies, we are close friends.
I remember when you visited Brussels, you told us the moving story of your uncle Frank — who served at the Battle of the Bulge, in Belgium. I also have a personal story: my grandfather raised me with a strong admiration for your country, the United States. And for the sacrifices your young men and women made to liberate our part of Belgium.
Today the world faces enormous challenges. And today, more than ever, the world needs a strong EU-US alliance to tackle these challenges.
The conflict in the Middle East is a tragedy, so much suffering, so many heart-breaking images. I would like to thank you for your personal involvement, travelling to the region and working to have a positive influence. We condemn the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. Israel has the right to defend itself and it must be done in line with international and humanitarian law.
We continue working day and night to help the most vulnerable in Palestine with their urgent needs and to foster the conditions to relaunch the Peace Process based on the two-state solution. The European Union was born as a peace project so we will continue to work tirelessly to help end the cycle of violence.
On European soil, Russia continues to rain missiles down on the people of Ukraine and we will stay focused on our strong support for the Ukrainian people. We are grateful for America’s support for Ukraine. The European Union – with our Member States — has provided over 82 billion euros of support and this strong backing will continue — for as long as it takes.
Finally, the EU and US are forging a united front to tackle all these challenges head-on. Working together, and supporting each other, is in our mutual interest and it is good for the world.
This is why we are working in the EU to try to build robust economies underpinned by robust industries that can prosper in a level playing field that we both value.
The EU and US have a powerful trade relationship and sometimes we have our differences. But that is why we are here, to cooperate and find solutions that work for businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic.
So we have a lot to discuss, we will do it honestly, like good friends do. Thank you" Source: European Council
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