[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[April 22, 1992]
[Pages 625-626]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 625]]

Remarks at the Departure Ceremony for European Community Leaders Anibal 
Cavaco Silva and Jacques Delors

April 22, 1992
    Mr. Prime Minister, this year my country celebrates the Iberian 
spirit of discovery. Half a millennium ago, Portugal and Spain helped 
chart a course towards a new world. Five hundred years later, European 
unity guides the way towards a new world order. Those early pioneers 
believed their mission was to probe the secrets of the world. Now we 
must explore the frontiers of common interest and common ground. The 
next horizon: a strengthened partnership between the United States and 
the European Community.
    Prime Minister Cavaco Silva, EC President Delors, and I and our top 
officials have discussed areas where we may deepen cooperation: peace 
efforts in the Middle East, coordination of aid to Central and Eastern 
Europe, the struggle of the emergent C.I.S. and international 
assistance, the agenda of next month's EC conference in Lisbon. We also 
talked about Yugoslavia, where, tragically, old hatreds are opening new 
wounds. The U.S.-EC partnership is working tirelessly to create 
conditions for a lasting democratic peace.
    No topic on our agenda is more crucial than the Uruguay round of 
trade negotiations. We are committed to achieving an early agreement, 
one that will spur economic growth not just in America but in Europe and 
all around the world. It will create jobs not just for our generation 
but for generations to come. For Americans, agreement will mean more 
than free trade abroad; it will mean for Americans good jobs here at 
home and a better standard of living at home.
    We had an extensive exchange of views on the outstanding issues, and 
some new ideas on how to conclude this Uruguay round were advanced by 
both sides. We are convinced, absolutely convinced, that the EC leaders 
are committed to an early agreement. And I hope they know that I am 
committed to such an early conclusion. We agreed to continue this 
process. We had some serious discussions, and the process will go on.
    Forty-one years ago almost to the day, the countries of Europe began 
their quest for unity. Over the ruins of war they laid a blueprint for 
peace and began building the foundations for economic and political 
cooperation. They sought unity not out of convenience but out of 
conviction, a vision of economic interdependence that would inflate the 
costs of war and expand the dividends of peace. The wisdom of their 
actions has brought us today to a new Europe where peace has paid off.
    Now, this new Europe has now joined its strength with the United 
States to support the spread of political and economic freedom in the 
lands only recently liberated from Soviet communism. Those that we 
helped four decades ago are now able to shoulder a larger part of these 
new challenges.
    Jean Monnet, the grandfather of European unity, once asked: ``If you 
are in a dark tunnel and see a small light at the end, should you turn 
your back on that light and go back into darkness, or should you 
continue walking toward it even though you know it's far away?'' Five 
hundred years ago, a European mariner followed the light of his 
imagination to illuminate a new world. For almost 50 years, the West 
carried freedom's torch to protect the free world. Today, we stand at 
the shores of a new world order where diverse nations are drawn together 
in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace 
and security, freedom and prosperity. A strong and united Europe offers 
the best hope for this united purpose and the best alliance for the 
United States.
    I salute our two distinguished guests today, and now would like to 
ask Prime Minister Cavaco Silva to say a word.

                    Note: The President spoke at 1:33 p.m. on the South 
                        Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he 
                        referred to French diplomat Jean Monnet, a 
                        founder of the European

[[Page 626]]

                        Community. Prime Minister Anibal Cavaco Silva of 
                        Portugal was President of the European Council, 
                        and Jacques Delors was President of the European 
                        Commission.