[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[April 2, 1992]
[Pages 528-529]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the Departure Ceremony for Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez of 
Spain

April 2, 1992
    President Gonzalez, it's been an honor to meet with you again and a 
special pleasure to celebrate this anniversary of the greatest mission 
ever undertaken beneath the royal banner of Spain, Christopher Columbus' 
voyage of discovery.
    Now, we've had a very good conversation today. I thanked President 
Gonzalez for his leadership on so many questions, questions involving 
this hemisphere, questions involving our quest for a successful trade 
agreement. We thanked him and the rest of the Government of Spain and 
His Majesty for their foresight in hosting that historic Madrid 
conference that brought factions together, parties together that had 
never sat down and talked in the same room before. History will remember 
that as very farsighted on the part of Spain.
    And so it's been a good visit. I told the Prime Minister coming out 
here that I just wish we had had more time because, in my view, the 
relations between Spain and the United States have never been better. 
And we turn to him for advice on many issues. We turn to him with 
respect for his leadership on many issues.
    And so it's been a very friendly visit, an

[[Page 529]]

upbeat visit. And I'll let him speak for himself, but I think in terms 
of the big issues, the big problems facing the world, that President 
Gonzalez and I, Spain and the United States, see eye to eye on almost 
every single question.
    And so thank you, sir, for coming. And I hope you have a pleasant 
trip back, and I hope that our paths cross soon again.

                    Note: The President spoke at 1:25 p.m. on the South 
                        Lawn at the White House. The Prime Minister was 
                        also President of the Government of Spain.