High Representative Federica Mogherini is in Washington today, meeting both senior figures in the new U.S. Administration and senior Senators.

Earlier today, she had her first meeting with new U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.

"I was pleased to meet Secretary Tillerson. We had an open exchange on many dossiers we are dealing with. The European Union and the United States have a longstanding relationship and we will work to bring it forward on the basis of our principles and our interests. There are many files on which the EU and the US have an interest to closely cooperate," Mogherini said.

She underlined the mutual interest to build on the longstanding cooperation between the European Union and the United States on the main international files.

They spoke at length, among other topics, about Transatlantic relations, the common challenge of countering terrorism, the ongoing work to strengthen European Defence, relations with Russia, the Iran nuclear deal and the main crises from Ukraine to Syria.

They agreed to continue working together and meet again soon. Mogherini has invited Secretary of State Tillerson to address the EU foreign affairs council in Brussels at his earliest convenience.

Later in the day, she will also meet White House Advisor, Jared Kushner, and U.S. National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn.

Her visit began with discussions with several U.S. Senators, including the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Bob Corker, the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John McCain, and the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, Senator Ron Johnson.

She also spoke with Senators Jack Reed, Chris Murphy, Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsay Graham.

On Friday, the High Representative will appear at the Atlantic Council to discuss how the European Union can build a strong relationship with the new U.S. administration.