; Whereas the United States and the European Union have developed numerous mechanisms to strengthen the Transatlantic relationship and to improve communication and collaboration among our respective governments, including annual European Union-United States Summit meetings and the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue, which facilitates meetings between members of the European Parliament and the United States Congress on issues of mutual concern; Whereas, despite representing approximately 12 percent of the world’s population, the United States and the European Union together provide more than three-quarters of official development assistance worldwide and have established an ongoing Development Dialogue to improve the quality and effectiveness of development aid; Whereas the United States and the European Union collaborate to promote peace and stability and prevent conflict around the world, working together to address conflicts including those in Syria and Ukraine and confront global security challenges like terrorism, nuclear weapons proliferation, transnational crime, and cybercrime; Whereas, in pursuit of an integrated, free, and peaceful Europe, the United States and the European Union have worked together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Balkans and to advance their cooperation with and integration into institutions like NATO and the European Union. Whereas, in response to its annexation of Crimea and continued aggression in the sovereign nation of Ukraine, the United States and the European Union imposed and have maintained sanctions to increase the diplomatic and financial costs on the Russian Federation for its illegal actions; Whereas, in the face of ongoing threats from terrorism, the United States and the European Union cooperate closely to target terrorist financing, secure transportation and borders, provide mutual assistance with cross-border investigations and extraditions, and share information