European Union leadership and ministerial members have given mixed reactions to Donald Trump's surprise victory in the US presidential election.

At a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, foreign ministers discussed EU-US relations amid fears the president-elect will unwind America's previous global commitments.

The crisis meeting, which concludes Tuesday, took place in the wake of Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton.

Trump's success overshadowed two days of scheduled meetings as the EU tried to maintain a united front on an array of foreign policy issues, from Iran to Turkey and Ukraine.

Reacting to the prospect of a Trump presidency, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that "values, principles, interests" will continue to form the basis of the transatlantic partnership.

"We are looking forward to a very strong partnership with the next administration," she said

Elsewhere, Poland's foreign minister says Trump did not add to the European Union's existing problems.

Witold Waszczykowski said that "regardless of whether we see Donald Trump as a person who is not an angel, he isn't a child with special needs either that would require special relations, special discussions."

Further comment came from Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, who described statements by some EU leaders on the Trump win as "frustrated and hysterical."

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, who also attended the meeting, said his counterparts were still trying to understand what to expect from the change in power.

"We are going to see the positions of the new American administration in the coming months. We are going to do everything to be in contact with the transition team," he said.

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni noted that Trump does not take office until January, and that Europe has plenty on its plate until then, such as the refugee emergency and economic issues.

"Europe should be taking care of its own problems and not worrying what is happening on the other side of the Atlantic," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said a Trump presidency could be a "moment of opportunity" for Europe, even as other EU diplomats worry about Trump's isolationist, protectionist promises.

Johnson said Trump "is a deal-maker and I think that could be a good thing for Britain, but it can also [be] a good thing for Europe. I think that's what we need to focus on."

Michael Fallon, the UK defense secretary, said: "The best approach to the Trump presidency is for European countries to step up their own defense spending. Britain meets the 2 percent commitment, and other European countries need to increase their own defense spending."

More reaction came from France's foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who said Europe must not flinch in defending its interests and people now that Trump's election win has added to the uncertainty created by Britain's decision to exit the European Union.

France is a key American ally, and its officials had in recent weeks openly endorsed Hillary Clinton for US president and warned that Trump's "confused" foreign policy objectives were alarming for the rest of the world.

"We have to meet the challenge for a Europe that must be able to better defend its citizens and its interests," Ayrault added. "Europe cannot blink after Brexit, after the election of Donald Trump with all the questions being raised. Europe must stand together more, be more active and go more on the offensive even if it is just to protect itself."

At the meeting the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to the nuclear agreement with Iran, saying it would continue to keep pushing to restore ties.

Another key decision was an expansion of sanctions against the Syrian regime, with the EU adding 17 government ministers and the central bank governor to the list, bringing the total number of Syrian individuals subject to EU sanctions to 234. This is in addition to the 69 Syrian companies and other entities that are subject to travel bans and asset freezes in the EU.

They also approved a proposal for Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) on EU defense, paving the way for joint procurement and easier deployment of the EU’s rapid reaction force.

A two-speed approach is planned, allowing deeper defense integration to go ahead for member states that want it without the approval or participation of others.

Mogherini, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, said she wants to make the EU a "superpower that believes in multilateralism and cooperation.

"It is not about an EU army. It is about a European Union security and defense that becomes more credible and more effective than it is today."

About Martin Banks

Martin Banks covered the European Union, NATO and affairs in Belgium for Defense News.

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