On Wednesday morning, MEPs debated the inauguration of Joe Biden as new US President and the political situation in the United States with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. MEPs welcome the inauguration of Joe Biden as an opportunity for Europe to strengthen EU-US ties and tackle common challenges and threats to the democratic system.

“Today is an opportunity to rejuvenate our transatlantic relationship, which has greatly suffered in the last four years. During this time, the world has grown more complex, less stable, and less predictable. More than ever before, this requires us Europeans to take our fate firmly into our own hands to defend our interests and promote our values. Together with the US, we must stand as the bedrock for the rules-based international order, working for peace, security, prosperity, freedom, human rights, and gender equality,” Charles Michel, European Council President, said.

“Europe now has a friend in the White House and is ready for a new start with its oldest and most trusted partner. We must push for global change based on common values,” Ursula von der Leyen, Commission President, added.

Referring to the siege of the Capitol organized online as well as to hate speech and disinformation spreading through social media, von der Leyen called for cooperation with the US to regulate tech giants. 

(EP)