[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 20, 1992]
[Pages 285-286]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the Departure Ceremony for Prime Minister Carl Bildt of 
Sweden

February 20, 1992
    Mr. Prime Minister, I am delighted to have welcomed you on your 
first official visit to Washington and to have shared very profitable, 
congenial talks.
    Prime Minister Bildt comes here at a time when Europe is being 
transformed and when Sweden itself is beginning a new chapter in its 
history. As the Prime Minister remarked on his election night last 
September, the winds of political change blowing through Europe have 
finally reached Sweden.
    Well, he understands well his nation's past. Just more than 100 
years ago, his great-great-grandfather was Prime Minister. But even 
more, Prime Minister Bildt represents a rising generation of leadership 
for a people seeking a new role in Europe and a new birth of freedom and 
initiative in Swedish domestic policy.
    We welcome Sweden's desire to play a more active part in the 
emerging global community. The Prime Minister is committed to democracy, 
to free markets. And I know that as active partners in the common 
endeavor to create a free, open, and prosperous world, the United States 
and Sweden will make a real difference.

[[Page 286]]

    Sweden and the U.S. share a deep and unswerving commitment to peace, 
and Sweden is a vital partner in our global nonproliferation efforts. A 
model peacekeeper, Sweden has shown its commitment to this function of 
collective security many times, with distinction, in the United Nations 
system. Sweden has taken a firm stand against terrorism, supporting our 
efforts to bring to justice those who sabotaged Pan Am Flight 103. And 
during the Gulf war, Sweden provided humanitarian and economic 
assistance.
    Our partnership in the service of freedom and democracy is not a new 
one. Americans and Swedes share more than 350 years of friendship, 
dating back to 1638 when the Kingdom of Sweden established a colony 
along the Christina River in Delaware. American patriots of Swedish 
origin fought in our Revolutionary War and signed the Declaration of 
Independence. Sweden was one of the first nations to sign a treaty of 
friendship and commerce with a newly independent United States.
    That legacy of partnership continues today on contemporary issues, 
for example, through the new investor visa arrangements our Government 
agreed upon today. And after today's talks I am confident that this 
friendship will continue to flourish.
    Mr. Prime Minister, let me explain to you our sincere thanks for 
this new spirit of cooperation and friendship. It strengthens our 
relations. And your visit has clearly helped build the basis for a solid 
partnership as we face together the challenges that lie ahead.
    Thank you for coming our way. And the best of luck to you, sir.

                    Note: The President spoke at 1:19 p.m. on the South 
                        Lawn at the White House.