(VOVworld) – US President Barack Obama on Monday began a 5-day trip to 3 European countries: Poland, Belgium, and France, his second European trip of 2014. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the trip was taking in an important period in transatlantic relations when the US was trying to reassert its commitments and increase cooperation with its European allies. He added that the aim was to consolidate the security and economic foundation of both sides of the transatlantic partnership. During his visit, President Obama will hold talks with European leaders on joint efforts to support the newly elected government in Ukraine, consolidate NATO, diversify Europe’s energy sources, and continue negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US and the EU.