Bush seeks to mend bridges
George Bush has sought to mend bridges with Europe today as he begins a five-day tour of the European Union.
The president addressed the European Commission in Brussels in a bid to heal the rift caused by the Iraq invasion.
Relations between Europe and the US hit a post-war low when leading EU countries including Germany and France voiced their opposition to American-led action in Iraq.
Visiting Europe less than a month after his inauguration is seen as a significant gesture as Mr Bush starts his second term in the White House.
Global security was the dominant theme of his address. President Bush told dignitaries from all 25 EU member states that peace in the Middle East was his priority.
He also attempted to rally support for the reconstruction effort in Iraq, claiming that despite the divisions over the US-led invasion, a free Iraq could be a “beacon of freedom” in the region.
“All nations now have an interest in the success of a free and democratic Iraq,” he said.
Turning to the future, Mr Bush urged European countries to work with the US towards common goals.
“No passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us,” he claimed.
Mr Bush is due to have dinner with French president Jacques Chirac, one of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq war, tonight.
Tomorrow Mr Bush is set to meet Tony Blair and the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi – his key allies in Europe – before going onto visit Nato leaders and the European Commission.
Despite all the likely warm words, there are still significant sources of tension between the US and Europe. Apart from Iraq, there is tension on the USA’s refusal to back the Kyoto Protocol or the International Criminal Court. The USA is also unhappy with EU plans to end the arms embargo on China and is critical of Europe’s softly-softly diplomatic approach towards Iran.
