NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and top EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel encouraged strengthening ties between the bloc and the US on Friday.
The trio of leaders welcomed new US President Joe Biden and endorsed opening a new chapter in transatlantic relations.
鈥淲e must reinforce our unity that unity derives from our promise to defend each other,鈥� Stoltenberg said at the Munich Security Conference, an annual meeting of global leaders on international security policy.
Calling it 鈥渁 historic opportunity鈥� after 鈥渄ifferences between Europe and North America,鈥� the NATO head urged Biden and European leaders to 鈥渞egain trust and reinforce unity.鈥�
Stoltenberg pointed out that the military alliance needs to widen the concept of security because climate change and the coronavirus pandemic have shown the importance of resilience.
He said the alliance should act on climate change by reducing emissions of military operations and their dependence on fossil fuels.
鈥淪ecurity and climate go hand in hand,鈥� he said.
Von der Leyen, who heads the European Commission, also invited the US to become a partner with the EU in the fight against climate change.
She expressed hope that Washington would follow the EU鈥檚 example and commit to becoming climate neutral by 2050.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure a share transatlantic commitment to a net zero emissions pathway by 2050 would make climate neutrality a new global benchmark,鈥� she said.
As President of the European Council, Michel pointed out that 鈥渨e want to build back a better, fairer and greener world, for all.鈥�
The bloc and the US will now have 鈥済reater influence to promote democracy and drive forward our economies,鈥� he said.
鈥淭ogether, we are stronger to defend the rules-based international order from the attacks of autocratic regimes, whether from Russia, China or Iran. And we are stronger to ensure peace and security,鈥� he added.
By Agnes Szucs in Brussels
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr