    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [February 22, 2005]
    [Pages 283-284]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in Brussels
    February 22, 2005

        President Bush. I just had a good breakfast. I always enjoy being
    with my friend Tony Blair. We talked about the progress being made in
    Iraq, and I want to congratulate you on your vision. The Iraqis are--you
    know, have defied the terrorists and showed the world they want to live
    in a free society, and we're there to help them achieve that.
        I'm looking forward to the NATO meeting today. NATO is a vital
    relationship for the United States and for Europe. And I'm looking
    forward to meeting with the EU as well. As I said in my speech
    yesterday, a strong Europe is very important for the United States, and
    I really meant that. And the Prime Minister is one of the strong leaders
    in Europe, and I really enjoy my relationship with him.
        Prime Minister Blair. First of all, I'm pleased to come and talk to
    the President again and go through the range of different issues that we
    face in the world today. And I both welcome the President's speech
    yesterday very much and thanked him for it. And I think what it sets out
    is a very clear way forward for us now. Whatever the differences in the
    international community have been over the past couple of years, I think
    we have a really solid basis now for going forward in a unified way. And
    if we take that opportunity, it will be greatly to the benefit of the
    international community.
        We can see this, obviously, with Iraq, where after the democratic
    elections that are held now, it's possible to see a way forward in which
    Iraq can become a stable and a prosperous and a democratic state. And
    after all the tragedies of the past and the dictatorship and the loss of
    life under Saddam, there's now real prospect for the Iraqi people. And
    that, joined to what has happened in Afghanistan, I think gives us real
    hope for the future.
        In addition, the President set out very clearly a way forward on the
    Middle East peace process. There's a renewed sense of vigor and optimism
    in that process. And with the London conference coming up next week, I
    think we've got every possibility now of trying to reach a settlement,
    which I think would do so much for international relations worldwide.
        Then, of course, we also went through many of the other issues, to
    the upcoming G-8 later in the year and so on. So it was, as ever, a very
    constructive, very useful discussion across a whole range of issues. And
    as I say, I think that yesterday's speech and today's meeting at NATO
    gives us an opportunity to restate for people in Europe and in America
    the fundamental importance of this transatlantic alliance. It's been a
    cornerstone of our security for many, many years. It's based on shared
    values. It's absolutely the right thing for us to have at the center of
    our relations. And we'll do everything we can to make sure that that
    relationship is strong.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:42 a.m. at the Chief of Mission Residence
    at the U.S. Embassy. In his remarks, Prime Minister Blair referred to
    former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.

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