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Pelosi, Congressional Delegation Conclude Visit to NATO Headquarters, European Commission, Belgium & Munich Security Conference

February 19, 2019

Contact: Speaker's Press Office, 202-226-7616

Brussels – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released this statement at the conclusion of two days of high-level Congressional delegation meetings with NATO leadership and allied nation representatives, senior European Commission and Belgian leaders, following another two days of participation at the Munich Security Conference:

"Our delegation's visit came at a critical time for the United States, NATO and the European Union.

"At the Munich Security Conference, we held bilateral meetings and discussions with key allies and international representatives on pressing global security issues. In Belgium, we heard directly from NATO leadership and our EU partners about the critical security challenges facing our nation, from Russian aggression to international terrorism to cyber threats.

"We were privileged to join the opening session of the Permanent Representatives to the North Atlantic Council and honored by the warm welcome the bipartisan U.S. delegation received as we engaged with the allies represented in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

"In our meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, we discussed the importance of maintaining NATO to succeed in the collective defense and deterrence mission of the Alliance.

"With the Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, we spoke candidly about the global security challenges facing our nations and the importance of partnership rooted in trust to effectively counter terrorist threats.

"Meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, we discussed the need for values-based leadership and the importance of protecting human rights and democratic principles, and fighting anti-Semitism. Our far-ranging meeting covered critical regional, economic and energy security questions facing Europe, and the challenges and opportunities of EU expansion.

"With High Representative Federica Mogherini we discussed the U.S. and EU working together on trade and defense initiatives, human rights around the globe, and a democratic and peaceful resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.

"Our delegation will return to Washington strengthened by the first-hand information and knowledge we have gathered on this trip."

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