Reinforcing transatlantic cooperation and addressing common digital challenges

This week, a delegation of MEPs from the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) met with counterparts in Washington DC and New York.

The delegation visited the US from 17 to 19 February to discuss digital challenges, cyber defence and information integrity. The findings of this mission will help shape the final report of the EUDS, which is expected to be adopted in the summer of 2026.

Washington DC: transatlantic dialogue and enhanced cooperation on cyber-defence

The EUDS delegation engaged in productive discussions with senior officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), think tanks, non-governmental organisations and media outlets. The visit aimed to strengthen transatlantic dialogue, reaffirming shared democratic values between the EU and the US, in the face of common adversaries.

During the exchanges with the FBI and the DOJ, MEPs shared best practices on combatting hybrid threats, emphasising the importance of enhanced cooperation in cyber-defence and counterintelligence operations. They also met with senior staffers from the House Committee on the Judiciary to discuss EU digital legislation and recent regulatory challenges and held conversations with the National Endowment for Democracy, the Atlantic Council, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

UN headquarters: multilateralism, democratic resilience, information integrity

In New York, MEPs were briefed on the current political landscape in the United Nations, namely on the challenges to the UN budget, the US withdrawal from numerous UN bodies and the EU’s role within the structure.

The delegation met with Under-Secretary-General on Global Communications Melissa Fleming, to discuss information integrity, online platform responsibilities, and the protection of minors online. This was followed by an exchange with Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder about the impact of the 2024 Summit of the Future’s proposals in relation to UN reforms, AI initiatives, and the organisation of free and democratic elections. The delegation also met with representatives of the UN Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies as well as the UN Development Programme.

Statement

After the visit, the Chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield and head of the delegation Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) said:

“It was important for our parliamentary delegation to meet with our US counterparts to insist on the importance of our sovereign choices and to hear about the necessity to keep a strong transatlantic partnership. During our visit to the United Nations, we learned more about the global efforts to promote information integrity and to develop AI for humanity. It was also important to show support for the multilateral order that the UN embodies”.

Composition

The delegation was led by EUDS chair Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) and comprised Lukas Mandl (EPP, AT), Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, CZ), Christel Schaldemose (S&D, DK), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE, CZ), Beata Szydło (ECR, PL), and Helmut Brandstätter (Renew, AT).