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ECFR's Nick Witney responds to parliamentary inquiry into US-UK Relations

On 2 December 2009, Nick Witney gave oral evidence in the British Parliament as part of an ongoing inquiry into US-UK relations led by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

As the co-author of the recent report "Towards a Post-American Europe: A Power Audit of EU-US relations", Nick elaborated on the report's findings in response to the Committee's questions. He outlined the difference between the realities and perceptions of the transatlantic relationship and spoke on topics such as the Lisbon Treaty, defence, the Middle East and Russia.

Echoing what he said in his report, Nick stressed the need for the UK and other EU member states to recognise the ‘multi-partner strategy' adopted by the Obama administration. In a world of increasingly diffuse global power the UK must accept that it will compete with the likes of China, India and Brazil for US attention. A more united and assertive EU stance would essentially be in the interest of the UK and its fellow EU members.