Pence vows Trump 'strongly committed' to Europe

AFP, BRUSSELS: US Vice President Mike Pence sought to reassure nervous Europeans Monday of Donald Trump's strong commitment to transatlantic ties as he met EU chiefs amid anti-Trump protests.
Capping a European trip aimed at allaying EU fears the new US president might abandon them, Pence said Washington's support remained "steadfast and enduring".
"Today it is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union," Pence said after talks with EU president Donald Tusk in Brussels.
Pence pledged the United States would keep working with Europe to boost the world's two biggest economies, fight terrorism and defend eastern EU states against Russian encroachment.
Trump's criticism of NATO as "obsolete", his praise for Britain's decision to leave the EU and prediction that others would follow, plus his apparent tilt to Russian President Vladimir Putin have all unnerved US allies.
Tusk, a former Polish premier, said that Europeans "truly needed" the meeting with Pence and that the 28-nation bloc counted on "wholehearted and unequivocal" US support.
"Too much has happened over the past month in your country and in the EU ... for us to pretend that everything is as it used to be," Tusk said.
Pence also met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, a former Luxembourg premier, who stressed that the United States "needs a strong united Europe."
Juncker also urged stronger EU unity, adding: "This is not a moment for Europe to divide itself in former national, provincial categories."
Scores of protesters gathered outside EU headquarters during Pence's visit, criticising the Trump administration's attitude toward women, gays and climate change.
"We are here to protest against the visit of Pence because we are revolted by the decision of the US administration to undermine women's rights worldwide," Irene Donadio, who works for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, told AFP. Two female protesters went topless and carried banners saying "Pence get out of our pants" while another placard read "Love Trumps Hate".

 

Pence vows Trump strongly committed to Europe

AFP, BRUSSELS: US Vice President Mike Pence sought to reassure nervous Europeans Monday of Donald Trumps strong commitment to transatlantic ties as he met EU chiefs amid anti-Trump protests. Capping a European trip aimed at allaying EU fears the new US president might abandon them, Pence said Washingtons support remained steadfast and enduring. Today it is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union, Pence said after talks with EU president Donald Tusk in Brussels. Pence pledged the United States would keep working with Europe to boost the worlds two biggest economies, fight terrorism and defend eastern EU states against Russian encroachment. Trumps criticism of NATO as obsolete, his praise for Britains decision to leave the EU and prediction that others would follow, plus his apparent tilt to Russian President Vladimir Putin have all unnerved US allies. Tusk, a former Polish premier, said that Europeans truly needed the meeting with Pence and that the 28-nation bloc counted on wholehearted and unequivocal US support. Too much has happened over the past month in your country and in the EU ... for us to pretend that everything is as it used to be, Tusk said. Pence also met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, a former Luxembourg premier, who stressed that the United States needs a strong united Europe. Juncker also urged stronger EU unity, adding: This is not a moment for Europe to divide itself in former national, provincial categories. Scores of protesters gathered outside EU headquarters during Pences visit, criticising the Trump administrations attitude toward women, gays and climate change. We are here to protest against the visit of Pence because we are revolted by the decision of the US administration to undermine womens rights worldwide, Irene Donadio, who works for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, told AFP. Two female protesters went topless and carried banners saying Pence get out of our pants while another placard read Love Trumps Hate.