This afternoon I had the privilege and honor of presenting my credentials to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and, on December 9, to then-President of the EU  Council, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.  Our excellent discussions of the transatlantic partnership are just the first of many I look forward to with EU officials, as well as more broadly with European citizens and Americans in Europe.

I am proud to represent the United States and President Barack Obama as Ambassador to the European Union. This is an exceptional time in the history of the United States, offering new opportunities for us to work closely and intensively with the European Union. The range of our shared interests, history, culture and values forges an exceptionally strong community, and confers upon us a special responsibility to work together to advance the security and prosperity of our peoples and of the world.