    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 20, 2005]
    [Page 840]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Konstandinos
    Karamanlis of Greece
    May 20, 2005

        President Bush. Thank you all for coming. It's my pleasure to
    welcome the Prime Minister back. It's good to see you, sir.
        America and Greece have got a strategic partnership. That's
    important. It's important for our respective peoples, and it's important
    we work together to spread freedom and peace.
        I want to welcome you here. Last time you were here, we were talking
    about the Olympics. I told the Prime Minister I was confident that the
    Government would make sure the Olympics were secure. I was so confident
    I sent my family. And not only did you keep your word, my parents and
    my--some of my relatives had a fabulous time in a spectacular country.
        I look forward to visiting with you on a variety of subjects, the
    freedom agenda, freedom in the greater Middle East, the Balkans. I look
    forward to talking to you about how best we can work together to
    continue to spread liberty. So I'm proud you're here, and welcome to the
    United States.
        Prime Minister Karamanlis. Well, it's my second visit to President
    Bush within almost a year. And I'm happy to say that this reflects the
    excellent bilateral relations we have and, of course, our determination
    to further our partnership to promote the areas of mutual interest, the
    common goals we have. And I think that it's going to be the outcome of
    this meeting as well to keep working closely in matters which are very
    important to both of us in both countries.
        President Bush. Good man. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:14 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape
    was incomplete.