EU/US Summit

Washington, 17 December 1999

Principles for government relations with the Transatlantic Dialogues established under the aegis of Chapter IV of the New Transatlantic Agenda

In line with the commitments made in the December 1998 statement on dialogues, this paper sets out guidelines for the use of EU and US officials for the handling of relations with the dialogues, in the form of concisely enunciated principles, which can be communicated to the dialogues. These principles are not in any way meant to detract from the autonomy and independence of action of the dialogues.

1. Transparency

The EU Authorities and the US Administration will show a high degree of transparency in their dealings with the dialogues, within the parameters set by the legislative and regulatory procedures of both sides.

Each dialogue should receive regular updates on the implementation of those parts of the NTA and the TEP of interest to it as well as information relating to progress in responding to that dialogue's specific recommendations.

Contacts between the dialogues and the EU Authorities and the US Administration could be used to encourage them to contribute to our efforts to identify and prevent potential bilateral EU-US problems at an early stage, in line with the June 1999 Summit statement on early warning.

2. Access

The US Administration and the EU Authorities should each meet formally with the dialogues at an appropriate level at least once every six months.

They should each designate working level contacts for each of the dialogues to facilitate routine contact at other times.

Representatives of the dialogues should be invited to present their key current recommendations to EU-US Summits. Access to leaders and ministers at summits should be provided on a regular and equitable basis, taking into account recent contributions from each of the dialogues. It is the responsibility of the hosting party to determine which of the dialogues should be invited.

Whilst the work of each dialogue is its own responsibility, the EU Authorities and the US Administration should welcome and respond to invitations to participate in and contribute to this work by means of joint attendance at conferences, joint discussions with working groups etc.

3. Equivalence

The EU Authorities and the US Administration should each ensure that lines of communication are open for all the dialogues. They should treat all recommendations made by each of the dialogues with seriousness and should ensure that there are clear and transparent government responses to these. Such responses when made in written form should be available to other dialogues.

4. Interaction

The EU Authorities and the US Administration should encourage contact and exchange of views between dialogues. From time to time the EU Authorities and the US Administration may support structured discussions involving a number of dialogues on a specific issue of collective concern to them.

Dialogues should be encouraged to maintain open structures, which promote wider links with EU and US citizens beyond their official or active membership. In particular, they should be encouraged to share with others their experience of transatlantic bridge--building, for example via "TIES". The EU Authorities and the US Administration may support activities designed to facilitate this process.

5. Government support

The EU Authorities and US Administration should work with dialogues to ensure that they obtain the support necessary for their successful activities.

The EU Authorities and the US Administration should keep each other informed of their reactions to input from the dialogues. They should jointly note the principal contributions and achievements of each dialogue in the SLG Report to each Summit.