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USIA - Text: Report to U.S.-EU Summit on New Transatlantic Agenda, 96-12-16
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>
TEXT: REPORT TO U.S.-EU SUMMIT ON NEW TRANSATLANTIC AGENDA
(Senior Level Group Report December 16, 1996) (1470)
(Begin text)
NEW TRANSATLANTIC AGENDA
SENIOR LEVEL GROUP REPORT TO THE U.S.-EU
SUMMIT DECEMBER 16, 1996
Washington, D.C.
The New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) was launched one year ago in Madrid with
the goal of giving new focus and direction to U.S.-EU political and
economic cooperation. Since then, we have sought to undertake a wide range
of U.S.-EU joint actions in the priority areas identified by the NTA.
Throughout, our emphasis has been on tangible, concrete accomplishments. We
have also as part of the confidence-building process of the NTA reinforced
efforts to resolve bilateral trade issues and disputes. During the Irish
Presidency of the European Union, we have made significant progress on key
initiatives.
We have intensified our cooperation on our most important diplomatic
objectives. The U.S. and the EU played a vital role in supporting
democratic elections, reconciliation, and reconstruction in Bosnia. We have
continued our assistance coordination dialogue on Central and Eastern
Europe and the New Independent States (NIS). Our efforts have helped
sustain the Middle East Peace Process and ensured the success of the
November Cairo Economic Conference. Negotiations are close to being
concluded for the EU to join the Korean Peninsula Energy Development
Organization (KEDO), underscoring a shared commitment to put our resources
to work against proliferation. Similarly, we worked together in establishing
the Wassenaar Arrangement. We are seeking to promote regional stability
and political reconciliation in Central Africa.
We are moving forward on an ambitious multilateral and bilateral trade
agenda. We achieved agreement at the WTO Singapore Ministerial on an
ambitious work program. Our joint efforts also resulted in an historic
Information Technology Agreement (ITA) which, when finalized, promises to
liberalize over $500 billion ($500,000 million) in trade annually and
serves as an essential building block for the emerging global information
society. In line with the strong recommendations of the Transatlantic
Business Dialogue (TABD), we have agreed in principle to an agreement on
mutual recognition of conformity assessment covering key sectors representing
tens of billions of dollars in two-way trade and have set a deadline of
January 31, 1997 to complete formal negotiations. We have also initialed a
Customs Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Agreement. We have developed
a transatlantic Small Business Initiative.
We have made significant advances in jointly addressing the new
challenges of organized crime, narcotics, migration and asylum, and health.
We are working together against drug trafficking in the Caribbean,
addressing law enforcement capabilities, institution-building, marine
interdiction, training, and information sharing. We have increased our
cooperation regarding improvised weapons and money laundering, and on
police customs issues. As part of our joint efforts against illegal drug
trafficking, we are close to concluding an agreement on control of chemical
precursors. We have charged our negotiators with bridging the remaining
issues as expeditiously as possible so the agreement can be rapidly
concluded. We have opened a new dialogue on migration and asylum issues in
the context of the EU's CIREA (asylum) and CIREFI (migration) working
groups. In the context of our efforts to develop an effective global early
warning and response system, our health task force has agreed to enhance
data exchange on communicable diseases starting with food borne diseases;
identify surveillance and response capacities; review research approaches
and training; and work closely with the WHO.
We have improved our coordination of humanitarian and development
assistance by holding a further round of high-level assistance consultations
in October. By way of example, we have agreed to work together on
strengthening civil society in some Latin American and South Asian
countries and are supporting democracy in Nicaragua and Benin. Programs on
the environment are moving forward for the Congo Basin, and we are working
with the new democratic government in Haiti on judicial reform. We are
helping to ensure food security in Ethiopia and Malawi and are cooperating
on an immunization program in nine West African countries.
We are strengthening transatlantic linkages. The TABD has continued to
make important contributions to the creation of the New Transatlantic
Marketplace and has strengthened the ties between our business communities.
We have agreed to consider seriously the recommendations in the TABD's
"Chicago Declaration." U.S. and EU officials met in November to prepare for
a 1997 conference on "Bridging the Atlantic: People to People Links." We
have taken the first steps with a view to exchanging foreign affairs
officials.
New Priorities
Under our four objectives of the New Transatlantic Agenda, in the next six
months we will:
Promoting Peace, Stability, Democracy, and Development
Cooperate on supporting the peace in Bosnia and the region and reinforce
efforts to promote stability and integration in the Balkans, including
through the EU regional approach, the Southeast Europe Cooperation
Initiative (SECI), and the Royaumont process of Stability and Good
Neighborliness in Southeast Europe.
Strengthen civil society and promote economic development in Central and
Eastern Europe; expand and deepen assistance coordination in Russia and the
NIS; and reinforce efforts to build a network of regional environmental
centers.
Seek greater cooperation with Turkey to promote regional stability,
closer economic ties, and enhanced political dialogue, as well as
encouraging the efforts of the Turkish government to strengthen democracy.
Urge both communities on Cyprus to advance a solution within the
framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Continue close cooperation in support of the Middle East Peace
Process.
Support democracy and respect for human rights, particularly in
countries where there are serious abuses.
Work together to integrate China further into the international
community.
Cooperate closely with regard to crises in Africa, particularly in
regard to supporting regional leaders and the international community to
achieve a comprehensive solution to the problems of the Great Lakes
region.
Build on the positive results of the recent EU-U.S. high level
consultations on development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
Responding to Global Challenges
Cooperate in counter narcotics efforts, with special attention to
completing an agreement on chemical precursors; address the issue of
synthetic drugs; strengthen the Dublin Group and broaden our cooperation on
combating cybercrime. Cooperate on ways of combating pedophilia, child
pornography, and international organized crime, taking into account
initiatives adopted at the EU Summit in Dublin.
Building on our existing dialogue, seek cooperation on specific steps to
counter terrorism, including improved air and ground transport security,
negotiation of an international convention on terrorist bombing, and
promoting wider adherence to existing conventions on terrorism.
Expand joint work on key environmental concerns, especially as regards
the current Berlin mandate negotiation on climate change, biodiversity, and
chemicals, and the review of Agenda 21 at the June 1997 special session of
UNGA; continue the work of transatlantic task force on communicable
diseases.
Expansion of World Trade and Closer Economic Relations
Strengthen our cooperation in the WTO through implementation of the work
program adopted at the Singapore ministerial, including successful
conclusion of basic telecoms and financial services agreements by the
agreed dates; finalize the ITA; and consult closely on accession of new WTO
members.
Complete the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) as well as
carry out the WTO work plan agreed at Singapore; finalize and implement the
recommendations on Bribery in International Transactions; implement the
agreements on Good Laboratory Practices and the Mutual Acceptance of Data
for chemicals; and continue to work on developing cryptography policy
guidelines.
In the context of the New Transatlantic Marketplace: follow up on the
recommendations in the TABD Chicago Declaration; pursue work on the Joint
Study with a view to producing substantive results, including recommendations
for action by the time of the next Summit; consider inclusion of new
product sectors for mutual recognition; expand cooperation on regulatory
issues, with special attention to biotechnology, international harmonization
in the automotive sector, and plant health; implement the Small Business
Initiative; pursue joint efforts to establish a Global Navigation Satellite
System; open dialogues on consumer policy and data protection; reach an
agreement to enhance positive comity provisions of the 1991 U.S.-EC
Agreement regarding the application of competition laws.
Building Bridges
Encourage the active involvement of the business community in the
transatlantic relationship through our continued support at the highest
levels to the work of the TABD.
Give our active support to the Transatlantic Labor Dialogue; hold a high-
level workshop on employability security in May; explore ways to share
experiences and policies developed to improve the standard of living of
people with disabilities on both sides of the Atlantic.
Conclude a comprehensive Science and Technology Agreement to promote
closer cooperation between our scientists.
Cooperate on preparations for the Marshall Plan 50th anniversary.
Convene a Conference on "Bridging the Atlantic: People-to-People Links"
to promote the expansion and development of new models of interaction.
(End text)
From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at gopher://gopher.usia.gov
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