Sen. Coons: “A strong European Union is the best possible partner to the United States.”

Sen. Coons: “I am strongly opposed to the withdrawal of American troops or reduction of American troops in Germany or in Europe.” 

RIGA, LATVIA – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with Latvijas Neatkar?g? Telev?zija (LTN) at Adazi Military Base in Latvia yesterday about the United States’ commitment to the European Union, NATO, and our European allies. 

“I am strongly opposed to the withdrawal of American troops or reduction of American troops in Germany or in Europe. I think Russia's increasingly aggressive actions over recent years makes it essential we sustain and reinforce our troop presence and military capability,” said Senator Coons. “The best way to do this is in partnership with our NATO allies, so that we are all sharing the investment and the responsibility, and I think that is the path that I’m hopeful that the NATO summit will take.” 

Senator Coons is currently participating in a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Latvia with U.S. Senators Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.). 

Excerpts from Senator Coons’ interview with Latvijas Neatkar?g? Telev?zija yesterday:

“Part of why we are here as a delegation from the American Congress is to provide reassurance that there is very strong support within the American Congress for NATO, for our relationship with our three Baltic NATO allies, for the enhanced foreign presence that is here at the base that we are visiting, and for our continued investment in this partnership. 

“We understand why there may be some concerns about the possibility of tension at the NATO summit. One of the things that I think is important for us to see is the significant investments Latvia has made in its security in partnership with the United States and other NATO allies. You have exceeded the two percent GDP goal, you have fought alongside us in conflicts around the world, you have deployed Latvians from Africa to Southwest Asia, and you are here hosting a very significant forward presence by NATO, so I think part of why we are here is to learn about Latvia's very strong partnership with the United States and NATO.” 

On President Trump’s recent statements criticizing the European Union:

“Well these are very concerning statements; the European Union absolutely was not formed to compete with the United States. In fact, it was formed in many ways with the encouragement and support of the United States. As we know well the history of the 20th century in Europe was one of terrible conflict and great human losses and needless human suffering as the result of two world wars and the advance of communism and fascism in different places and different times. And the European Union was principally created in order to find a way for Europe to be peaceful and prosperous and whole. 

“NATO has also served in the last decades as a way to provide for European common defense and neither of these are in any way a threat to or a competition with the United States. In fact, my view very strongly it is the alternative, that a strong European Union is the best possible partner to the United States. I have real concerns about how China has conducted itself in trade internationally and in conversations we have had with leaders in several nations in this region I think we see clearly that there is real potential for a U.S.-EU cooperation on trade matters in order to promote mutual prosperity, and having a trade conflict or tariff fight with the EU runs counter to that goal.” 

On American troops in Germany:

“I am strongly opposed to the withdrawal of American troops or reduction of American troops in Germany or in Europe. I think Russia's increasingly aggressive actions over recent years makes it essential we sustain and reinforce our troop presence and military capability. The best way to do this is in partnership with our NATO allies, so that we are all sharing the investment and the responsibility, and I think that is the path that I’m hopeful that the NATO summit will take.” 

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