Munich, Germany, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- In a bid to reassure Europe of the transatlantic ties, the Vice President of the United States Joe Biden reaffirmed on Saturday that Europe remains the closest allies of the U.S..
"Simply put, President (Barack) Obama and I continue to believe Europe is the cornerstone of our engagement with the rest of the world, and it's the catalyst for our global cooperation," Biden told the 49th Munich Security Conference here, adding that "it's that basic, nothing has changed".
Biden's remarks came at a time when concerns are voiced about the possible cooling down of transatlantic relations as the U.S. is shifting its foreign policy emphasis toward Asia.
While stressing that the U.S. and Europe have been cooperating well on various fronts, Biden said, "you remain our closest allies."
Commenting on the latest development of Europe, Biden saw positive steps especially in terms of the handling of eurozone crisis. He mentioned the measures taken by the European Central Bank to ease the market tensions and called on eurozone governments to remain focused on growth and jobs.
"These may be fundamental European problems requiring European solutions, but the resolution has a tremendous impact on the United States of America and the global economy," he said.
With regard to the transatlantic trade and investment agreement, Biden said the regulations and standards differences continue to divide the U.S. and Europe. But he believed the U.S. and Europe can overcome the differences.
Biden pointed out that the mutual agenda of the U.S. and Europe had shifted during the last four years. "One important thing remains unchanged: We need to work together, we need to stick together, we need you as much as you need us," he stressed.
According to Biden, Europe remains America's indispensable partner. He claimed to be a firm believer in transatlantic ties, which was deep, broad and important.
"Time and again, when it comes to search for partners in this extremely complex world, Europe and America still look to each other before they look anywhere else," he said.
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