EU and California, Partners in Addressing Major Transformations and Societal Challenges

28.02.2020

 

On 25-27 February 2020, EU Ambassador to the U.S. Stavros Lambrinidis visited northern California.

Upon his arrival to San Francisco, Ambassador Lambrinidis was greeted by European Consuls General at the German Residence -- German Consul General Hans-Ulrich Südbeck currently serves as EU Local Chair. There are now twelve European Consulates in San Francisco since the opening of an Estonian Consulate a few weeks ago. 

Ambassador Lambrinidis was then received by Governor Gavin Newsom in Sacramento. During their meeting, they discussed the close partnership between California and the European Union on a wide range of common priorities, from climate action and the digital economy to science and the future of mobility. The European Union recently welcomed Governor Newsom's decision to order a moratorium on the death penalty.

He also met with San Francisco Mayor London Breed and praised the city for its leading role in technology and sustainability. San Francisco is home to many Europeans who contribute to the city's prosperity and unique way of life.

In Silicon Valley, Ambassador Lambrinidis met with European and American tech entrepreneurs. EU trade and investment in California create 750 thousand jobs (see infographic here).

Ambassador Lambrinidis finally joined Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis on stage at UC Berkeley to discuss "California, the EU and the Future of the Transatlantic Relationship" (see here).

EU officials will be back in California on April 6 for the California-EU Energy Efficiency Forum (register for the webcast here). And Executive Vice President - A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager will speak at CODE CONFERENCE 2020 in Los Angeles (May 26-28). 

Learn more on the visit on Twitter using #EUandCA.