European Union foreign ministers have said they anticipate a “really powerful partnership” with the US, following an formal conference to discuss Donald Trump’s election success.
The ministers said they needed to understand information on the US president-elect’s plans but said they anticipated ties that were great.
The discussions occurred on the eve of an official meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday, at a dinner in Brussels.
Ministers from France, Britain and Hungary failed to attend on Sunday.
“We’re getting excited about an extremely powerful partnership with the next [US] government,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said.
“We’ve determined collectively to participate with the incoming government even from this very first week of transition,” she added.
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“Whatever the US administration, it is definitely understood that Europe must step up its activity on security and defence.”
During the campaign, Mr Trump indicated that the US may not automatically come under attack to the assistance of a Nato ally.
The proper assembly, which will be attended by ministers from all 28 member states of Monday, is expected to discuss relations and defence cooperation with Nato.
Mr Trump’s election triumph has exposed rifts in Europe.
