Mandelson sees Bush visit as a ‘new start’
Britain’s European Union trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has said the arrival of US President George Bush is an opportunity for a “new start”.
Mr Bush is arriving in Brussels for talks with French President Jacques Chirac before meeting leaders of the 25 EU countries at a summit later in the week.
He will visit Germany before moving on to Slovakia to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in a three-day tour of Europe.
Mr Mandelson told Sky News the visit must be seen a positive step in American diplomacy, describing it as “a new start, putting the recent tensions and strains in our relationship behind us”.
“In particular, moving on from the very bitter dispute between some in Europe and the US over Iraq and trying to set out an agenda and policy of international action where we can work together rather than in separate and different corners,” he said.
Mr Mandelson went on to express the view that Europe and the United States can go on to work together as partners in the future, despite historical disputes over issues such as Iraq.
