EU Needs to 'Take Stronger Position on International Arena' After US Election

The European Union should take a stronger position in the international arena after the US presidential elections, won by Republican candidate Donald Trump, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said on Monday.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — An informal meeting of the European Union's Foreign Ministers took place in Brussels on Sunday evening. The ministers were expected to discuss a wide range of issues, with a particular emphasis on the change of US foreign policy under President-elect Donald Trump.

"The most important thing is to see that the Europeans are ready to do together to come up with a strong position in the international arena in the field of defense, security, and in the field of climate change, trade and migration… There are some important issues on which, perhaps, we need to take a stronger position… Whatever the situation in the US may be, EU should learn to speak louder on a number of issues," Reynders said after the meeting.

He added that the results of the US elections should be respected, and the European Union should closely monitor the changes in the political course of the new US administration.

Trump won the November 8 US president election, surprising his opponents and a large number of mainstream media who considered his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton a favorite. The inauguration will be held on January 20, 2017.