EU Foreign Affairs & Security Policy High Representative/European Commission Vice President Catherine Ashton stated: "On the occasion of the launch of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, I congratulate Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas for their vision and political courage. I commend the US and the efforts deployed by President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and Senator Mitchell to bring the parties to the negotiation table. Quartet Envoy Tony Blair and the Arab League have also played an important role in this difficult endeavor...The outcome will be crucial not just for the parties, but for the whole region and beyond." Read more; European Parliament President Buzek; Ashton on Sept. 1 Mideast Attack; Background

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will welcome US President Barack Obama at the next European Union-United States Summit, to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 20.
"This is good news for the transatlantic partnership," said Head of the European Union Delegation to the United States, Ambassador João Vale de Almeida. "I look forward to the first EU-US Summit after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. There is a lot for both sides to do together to tackle common challenges. From foreign policy issues to jobs and growth, the EU and the US can only benefit from an even closer cooperation. A meeting of Presidents Obama, Van Rompuy and Barroso will definitely provide a new impulse to an already vibrant relationship. I am eager to contribute to a substantial and meaningful summit." Read more; Background

An Antonov AN-124 cargo aircraft left for Pakistan on Sept. 1 with 100 tons of assistance provided in a joint effort by Germany, Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic, which is offering the plane on a cost-free basis. This shipment is coordinated by the European Commission's Monitoring and Information Center (MIC), which currently has a team of civil protection experts in Pakistan to monitor the distribution of EU in-kind assistance. Read more; EU International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Response Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva Reports to European Parliament; Press Conference (Video); Georgieva Surveying Flood Damage (Video); Background

EU Foreign Affairs & Security Policy High Rep./European Commission VP Catherine Ashton is in China this week (August 30-September 4) for the first ever EU-China High Level "Partnership" Dialogue. This is a key discussion prior to the upcoming Gymnich informal Foreign Ministers meeting and summit of EU leaders, where China will take center stage as part of a wider discussion on strategic partnerships. HR Ashton has met with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (pictured), Foreign Minister Jiechi Yang & State Foreign Affairs Councillor Bingguo Dai. Read more; Sept. 2 Video; Sept. 1 Video; Ashton Tours China (Video); EU Taxation, Customs Union, Anti-Fraud & Audit Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta in China on Customs Controls & Counterfeiting; Speech; Q&A; Background

With the presentation of his credentials to President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony on August 10, 2010, João Vale de Almeida formally became the new European Union Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to the United States. In his Presentation of Credentials letter to the US President, Ambassador Vale de Almeida said that he was enthusiastic about the continued evolution of the US-EU relationship which, in range and substance, has progressed dramatically over two decades. Read more; Background

EU Ambassador João Vale de Almeida has written to Ohio Governor T. H. Ted Strickland on behalf of Kevin Keith, Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire on behalf of Cal Coburn Brown and to Alabama Governor Bob Riley on behalf of Holly Wood. Mr. Keith's execution is set for September 15, Mr. Brown is scheduled to be executed on September 10, while Mr. Wood is slated for a September 9 execution. The EU opposes the death penalty. Read Vale de Almeida's Letter for Mr. Keith; Vale de Almeida's Letter for Mr. Brown; Vale de Almeida's Letter for Mr. Wood; Background