​Strengthening democracy, fostering growth and development was the theme of a debate in the CoR plenary with speaker Robin Vos, President of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Karl Vanlouwe welcomed the debate and highlighted: 'that the United States and the European Union have very much in common needs no convincing. We share a strong belief in democracy, the rule of law and an open market economy'.  He called for more cooperation in combatting climate change, migration and highlighted the clear benefits in having a trade agreement between the EU and the US in particular for regions like Flanders.