M. Eric HAYES, Head of Unit United States, Directorate General for External Relations, European Commission, Brussels
Intervention : 'Shaping the New Transatlantic Agenda for the new Millennium'

The New Transatlantic Agenda, signed at the EU/US Summit in Madrid in December 1995, marked an important qualitative leap in EU/US relations, following the end of the Cold War and the entry into force of the EU's Maastricht Treaty. It involved an extensive broadening and deepening of the relationship, moving it from one based essentially on consultation to one where the focus was more and more on joint action. Since then, there have been very many new developments on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in the wider global environment. The EU itself has taken further major steps forward in its own integration process (with the introduction of the EURO and the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty) and is currently engaged in a further major round of enlargement negotiations. Reflections are currently under way on both sides as how best to adapt the NTA to these new developments as we enter the XXIst-century, with new political leaders in place, or about to take office, on both sides.