The top official for immigration and security with the European Union is to urge the US to maintain its long relationship with them despite the criticism of the immigration ban issued by executive order by President Donald Trump. The commissioner for home affairs and immigration, Dimitris Avramopoulos, met with John Kelly, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, on Wednesday. This is the first time a meeting has taken place between senior officials of the EU and the Trump administration.
The visit comes after the measure suspending immigration from seven countries was made by President Trump, which has caused concern within the European Union. In response to questions by email on Tuesday, Avramopoulos said that the roots of the partnership between the US and the EU go back a long way. He added that their shared priorities and values are matched by their shared threats, which should receive a common response.
In recent weeks, Trump described the European Union as nothing more than a vehicle for the interests of Germany. He suggested a preference for bilaterally dealing with countries in Europe by his administration.
Avramopoulos says that the US and the European Union both want to have a better understanding of who is entering their territory and agrees that security should not be compromised by their ethos of tolerance and openness. Avramopoulos was hoping to discuss ways to move forward and deal with concerns on full US visa waiver reciprocity for EU member states citizens.