15th EPP Congress
Our future: A strong Europe
17 - 18 October 2002
Estoril - Portugal

Resolution adopted by the 15th EPP Congress
Joint Global Partnership Agenda. The future of EU-US Relations

The EPP strongly believes that a joint global partnership agenda is necessary which for us means: co-ordinated policies especially between the US and the EU in order to promote the success of the social market economy in fighting poverty and discrimination as well as in improving living conditions. To achieve this we need institutions for joint strategic assessment and operational implementations. Today the USA seems to be lacking the will for real co-ordination and the EU, the capability to act. Both can be understood historically but both have to be overcome - not at some future date but now. We fundamentally believe that only a strong transatlantic alliance can lead the world in a positive direction.

Free Trade & a Strong WTO

Notwithstanding respect for other countries and for international collaboration, trade relations between the US and the EU is an important world trade link. Not only because of its size but also because it acts as a trailblazer for the rest of the countries of the world in setting an example of how trade conflicts can be dealt with and how mutually beneficial economic connections based on the principle of trade can reduce poverty and increase the living standards of all levels of respective populations.
The EU strongly supports the successful completion of the ongoing WTO-negotiations, aiming at strengthening world trade and the access of SME’s (especially from poor countries) to global markets in consideration of social, ecological and human rights’ standards.

Competition

The recent cases of competition decisions, which have raised strong feelings on both sides of the Atlantic, prove the need for a joint transatlantic competition policy with its own institutions and procedures.

Security & Military Cupertino

The success of the US military and its procurement systems has proved the necessity for Europe to come up with similar central systems of military arms procurements in order to be able to supply European armies with high quality material in order to be a strong partner for the USA when it comes to global security management.

Global Financial Institutions

The Breton Woods institutions have shown their capability to tackle emergencies and successfully stabilise countries, which are willing to cooperage and to reform. However the IMF needs to be reformed in order to be capable of preventing possible crisis situations.
This can best be achieved by closer economic Cupertino between the US and the EU. The EU has to co-ordinate their international policy, leading to a joint representation of the EU and the ECB in all global monetary and financial institutions.

SME Policy Institutions

The EPP believes that the USA and the EU should benchmark their business environment and regulating framework for SME’s. Setting up an equivalent of the SBA, the Small Business Administration in the form of a DG for SMEs headed by a Commissioner for SMEs could lead to a better framework for SMEs and help to create more jobs.