[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 390 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 390

Recognizing the continued importance of the transatlantic relationship 
 and promoting stronger relations with Europe by reaffirming the need 
 for a continued and meaningful dialogue between the United States and 
                                Europe.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 2, 2003

  Mr. Bereuter (for himself, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Wexler, and Mrs. Jo Ann 
   Davis of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the continued importance of the transatlantic relationship 
 and promoting stronger relations with Europe by reaffirming the need 
 for a continued and meaningful dialogue between the United States and 
                                Europe.

Whereas for more than a half century transatlantic policy cooperation and 
        coordination have been essential for the preservation of peace and 
        freedom in Europe, have enabled the development of free and prosperous 
        economies, and helped restore stability and unity in the Euro-Atlantic 
        area;
Whereas a central goal of United States policy toward Europe remains that the 
        development of a Europe united, free, strong, and at peace is in the 
        best interests of the United States and Europe so long as the United 
        States and Europe continue to work as partners, not rivals or 
        counterweights;
Whereas the central pillar of the United States partnership with Europe remains 
        a strong and cohesive Atlantic Alliance;
Whereas the United States and the European community are aware of their shared 
        responsibility, not only to further transatlantic security, but to 
        address other common interests such as environmental protection, poverty 
        reduction, combatting international crime and promoting human rights, 
        and to work together to meet those transnational challenges which affect 
        the well-being of all;
Whereas in recognition of the threats posed by global terrorism, terrorist 
        states, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the nexus 
        of the three, the partnership should be expanded progressively from a 
        transatlantic community of values to an effective transatlantic 
        community of action by developing a collaborative strategy and action 
        plan for dealing with those challenges of mutual interest and concern;
Whereas no policy disagreement, such as the dispute with respect to Iraq, should 
        be allowed to significantly disrupt transatlantic relations nor cause 
        any member of the Euro-Atlantic community to choose between partners;
Whereas a renewed commitment to strengthen the partnership through increased 
        cooperation, communication, consultation and information-exchange is 
        required to achieve our common goals, which will continue to ensure 
        peace and prosperity between the United States and Europe;
Whereas Congress has played a constructive role in this cooperative approach to 
        partnership with Europe through mechanisms such as the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly, the Transatlantic 
        Legislators' Dialogue, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation 
        in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly which have for years brought 
        together legislators of both the United States and Europe for 
        discussions of issues of common interest in order to further 
        transatlantic understanding and partnership at the parliamentary level; 
        and
Whereas the House of Representatives welcomes and congratulates the newest 
        member nations invited to join NATO and the European Union and looks 
        forward to broader dialogue through their participation in these 
        transatlantic parliamentary organizations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) affirms the conviction of the United States that, 
        despite the occasional differences and difficulties, the 
        underlying ties which have historically bound the people of the 
        United States and of Europe remain strong;
            (2) accepts the indivisibility of transatlantic security 
        which provides an indispensable link between North America and 
        Europe;
            (3) recognizes that both the United States and Europe face 
        new challenges at home and abroad and must strengthen and adapt 
        the transatlantic partnership to effectively meet these 
        challenges;
            (4) acknowledges that in order to strengthen the 
        transatlantic partnership there must be a renewed commitment to 
        regular and intensive consultation, information exchange and 
        dialogue between the United States Government and the 
        governments of Europe and the European Union; and
            (5) commits on its part to continue to improve the 
        transatlantic partnership by enhancing the communication 
        between the United States Congress and the legislatures of 
        Europe through the formal frameworks of the NATO Parliamentary 
        Assembly, the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, the OSCE 
        Parliamentary Assembly, and various other formal and informal 
        inter-parliamentary organizations.
                                 <all>