    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [February 22, 2005]
    [Pages 290-294]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With European Union Leaders in Brussels
    February 22, 2005

        President Juncker. Good evening,
    ladies and gentlemen. As heads of state and government of the European
    Union, we've been very happy to welcome the U.S. President, Mr. George
    Bush, to the heart of the European institutions. And once again, I would
    like to thank him for this visit and for the fact that he has taken the
    initiative of coming to Europe so soon after his Inauguration for his
    second term as President of the United States.
        In the course of our discussions, we have touched on a whole range
    of issues, which it is clearly impossible for me--[inaudible]--that
    wasn't me; that was the microphone--[laughter]--a whole series of issues
    which we cannot summarize here. What I would say is that what we have
    established is that, as so often in our past, if we work together, if we
    pool our strengths, we as Europeans and Americans can make the
    difference. We have the strength; we have the legitimacy; and we have
    the means--because we have the same ambitions for the world, ambition of
    democracy, of freedom, of fighting together against terrorism, the
    ambition to end the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
        On our flags, we have the words ``freedom'' and ``democracy.'' And
    we recognize the obligations that result from this, the fight against
    poverty, the fight against underdevelopment. And so, in a very studious,
    constructive, and friendly atmosphere, we addressed a number of issues.
        Middle East: We both do consider that peace prospects are better
    than they have been for a long time, and we are looking forward to
    cooperate in close partnership with the U.S. and with other Quartet
    members. It is of crucial importance, we do think, to go back to the
    implementation of the roadmap. In Gaza, we do all hope and prospect for
    a negotiated, two-state solution as defined in this roadmap. That means
    that we have to make sure for Israel that peace, security, and
    recognition by all countries in the region are guaranteed. And that
    means for the Palestinians that they have the right to have a viable,
    democratic, independent, and totally contiguous state.
        As regards Iraq, we applauded the courage of the Iraqi people and
    the results of recent Iraqi elections as far as the out-turn was
    concerned. We are pursuing our common engagement in Iraq. The United
    States and the U.S. stand together in support of the Iraqi people and
    the new Iraqi Government, which will soon come into action. To that end,
    should the new Iraqi Government request it, the United States and
    European Union are prepared to cohost an international conference to
    provide a forum to encourage and coordinate international support for
    Iraq.
        We spoke at length about the Middle East and in particular about
    Lebanon--Lebanon, this country which is lurching from misfortune to
    misfortune, from tragedy to tragedy. And we condemned vigorously the
    assassination of the former Prime Minister. We insisted on full
    compliance and immediate compliance with the Security Council
    resolution, and we, the U.S. and the European Union, have called for a
    joint committee of investigation.

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        [Inaudible]--discussed, I leave this to the President of the U.S.
        George.
        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, thanks. Jose, it's good to see you, sir; thank you. I'm looking
    forward to having dinner with you and Javier Solana and Jean-Claude
    tonight.
        Listen, it's an honor to be here. I appreciate the invitation. You
    called an extraordinary meeting, and I'm honored you did so. My first
    trip after my Inauguration was to Europe, and that's the way it should
    be because Europe and the United States are close friends.
        In my talk to the leaders in the room, I started by saying this:
    There should be no doubt in your mind that my Government and the United
    States wants the European project to succeed. It's in our interests that
    Europe be strong. It's in our interests that the European Union work out
    whatever differences there are and become a continued, viable, strong
    partner. It's in our interests for commercial reasons; we trade a lot.
    And I talked about the need to continue trade and to work out our
    disputes in a sensible way.
        It's in our interests because the values that caused the European
    Union to exist in the first place, the values of human rights and human
    dignity and freedom, are the same values we share. And we have an
    opportunity to work together to spread those values. We talked about
    Iraq, and I appreciate the contributions and the new suggestion. I
    appreciate your contributions in Afghanistan.
        We talked about how hopeful the Middle Eastern peace situation
    looks. And I told the leaders that my Government will be very much
    involved in the process. We believe peace is within reach. Therefore, I
    want to work with the European Union to achieve that objective.
        We talked about aid, the need to work together to fight disease like
    HIV/AIDS, which we are doing and will continue to do.
        I brought up global warming. I said that the Kyoto debate is beyond
    us, as far as I'm concerned; now is the time to focus on our abilities
    and research and capacity to develop technologies to make the air
    cleaner so that our people can have the standard of living they expect,
    at the same time that we're good stewards of the Earth.
        So it was a very optimistic, hopeful meeting. I appreciate so very
    much the hospitality of the leaders, and I'm anxious to continue our
    dialog after this press conference.
        President Juncker. Jose Manuel.
        President Durao Barroso. Thank
    you. I think that, on behalf of the European Commission, that the visit
    of President Bush is really a very, very important one. Europe and
    America have reconnected. This visit has highlighted all that unites
    Europe and America. It has focused the eyes of the world on all that we
    share. I believe that the relationship between the United States and
    Europe is the world's strongest, most comprehensive and strategically
    important partnership. The United States, a united Europe--this is
    really the indispensable partnership.
        If you look at the scale of the challenges ahead, like terrorism,
    poverty, one thing is certain: These are not challenges that any nation
    can tackle alone. Europe knows that; the United States know that. Even
    working together, it's not sure that we will solve these problems
    because of their magnitude. But we must try, and I believe that
    together, we will prevail. The reality is that the world is safer and
    more prosperous when Europe and America work together as global
    partners.
        Today we have had opportunity to discuss many of the challenges on
    the transatlantic agenda, on the Middle East, on transatlantic trade.
    There is a common outlook on many fronts. I believe that the European
    Union and America will be very strong partners in supporting the efforts
    of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to move towards a lasting peace
    in the Middle

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    East. We know that President Bush and America are fully engaged. There
    is a unique opportunity for peacemaking.
        The European Union and the United States are committed to continue
    to bring prosperity and solidarity across the broader Middle East,
    building, on the Europe Union's side, on the decade of dialog and
    assistance through the Barcelona process.
        On Iraq, the Commission is and will remain committed to a stable and
    democratic country. We will continue to offer substantial political and
    financial support for the process of democratic transition. And we hope
    that if the new Iraqi Government makes a concrete proposal for joint
    action, we'll be ready to assist.
        We also have a shared commitment to development, and I would add
    that we must measure ourselves by results, helping countries to progress
    towards the Millennium goals. We must give urgent attention to Africa.
    We need a quantum leap in terms of resources and policy.
        We'll talk later about how we can work together also to fight
    climate change. The United States and Europe, I think I can say this,
    agree that climate change constitutes a major challenge. Now, we need to
    develop new methods of working together to get results that are
    effective over the long term. President Bush mentioned, for instance,
    the prospects offered now by new technologies. We are very much wishing
    to work together with the United States in that field.
        The United States and Europe are the two largest economies in the
    world. We are determined to deepen the transatlantic economic
    partnership. Trade and investment are the bedrock of transatlantic
    relations. We want to build on this. Our common objective must be to
    remove obstacles to transatlantic trade and investment as well as making
    a success of Doha development round, which is a catalyst for global
    growth. Europe is committed to promote growth and jobs through
    knowledge, innovation, and opportunity. That is what the Lisbon agenda
    stands for.
        This visit has given new life to the partnership between Europe and
    United States. I believe that transatlantic relations have turned a
    corner. A new listening partnership is emerging. The challenge now is to
    turn this new spirit into reality and show the world we are able to
    translate it into concrete results.
        President Juncker. Thank you. So,
    we'll take three or four questions, two coming from the European side,
    two from the U.S. side. [Inaudible]--please.

    European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization

        Q. [Inaudible]--a question to U.S. President and to Prime Minister
    of Luxembourg. This EU-U.S. summit fueled speculation that there will be
    now two transatlantic tracks on foreign and security policy. One is the
    good old NATO and then the other one is the new one that's direct EU-
    U.S. strategic talk. So is this meeting between EU and U.S., this
    special summit, a kind of historic foundation of a new second track
    outside of NATO on EU-U.S. relations?
        President Juncker. I always wanted
    to make history, but I don't think that this time--[laughter]--is the
    moment for doing so. We have an ongoing transatlantic dialog inside
    NATO. It can be improved, and we discussed this this morning together
    with the President. And we have an ongoing transatlantic dialog inside
    the framework between U.S. and European Union. We'll have another summit
    by the end of this semester in June in Washington, where we are trying
    to deliver as concrete results as possible, on the basis of the good
    atmosphere we laid down in the course of this meeting.
        We shouldn't make a distinction between NATO and between the
    European Union. These are two different things, but there are strong
    family relations and links between the two. This is not a question or/
    or; it is a question and/and.

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        President Bush. I agree. I mean, I don't view these two meetings as
    mutually exclusive meetings. I think they're both important; they're
    both a part of an important dialog with Europe. NATO was set up for
    security matters. The EU is set up as a way to make Europe function
    better, to be able to achieve objectives for her people. And the United
    States looks forward to working with Europe both within NATO and as the
    European Union.
        I've been meeting with the European Union a lot since I've been the
    President. This isn't the first meeting--your question kind of made it
    sound like, ``He finally showed up and met.'' This isn't the first time
    we've met with the European Union in my Presidency. As a matter of fact,
    we do so on an annual basis, and I look forward to the meetings. And
    they're constructive, and they're important.
        Plante [Bill Plante, CBS News].

    Democracy in Russia

        Q. Mr. President, the Russians seem to be pushing back against some
    of the things that you've said, Mr. President. Their Ambassador to the
    U.S. wrote today that ``there cannot . . . be a sole standard for
    democracy.'' So what I'm asking is just how flexible you think the
    standards for democracy can be.
        President Bush. First, we've got a constructive relationship with
    Russia, and that's important. I've got a very good personal relationship
    with President Putin, and that's important.
    And it's important because it enables me and our country to remind
    President Putin that democracies are based upon rule of law and the
    respect for human rights and human dignity and a free press--you'll be
    happy to hear. And that--a constructive relationship allows me to remind
    him that I believe Russia is a European country, and European countries
    embrace those very same values that America embraces. And I'm looking
    forward to continuing my dialog with him.
        President Juncker. Next European
    question. [Laughter]
        President Bush. I see you wanted to ask a question, yes.

    Iran/Upcoming London Meeting on the Middle East

        Q. A question for President Bush. President, you came to Europe with
    a very constructive speech, and, indeed, you said very few things the
    Europeans couldn't agree with. But actions speak louder, so do you
    actually commit to taking more into account the European's positions on
    international matters? And do you actually commit to, for instance,
    prevent from launching action, strikes against a sovereign member state,
    state like Iran, without a mandate from the United Nations Security
    Council?
        President Bush. I--You know, look, I'm--let me talk about Iran.
    That's a place where I'm getting good advice from European partners.
    After all, Great Britain, Germany, and France are negotiating with the
    ayatollahs to achieve a common objective, something that we all want,
    and that is for them not to have a nuclear weapon. It's in our interests
    for them not to have a nuclear weapon. It's also in our interests for
    them not to continue funding terrorist organizations like Hizballah,
    which has the desire to stop the Middle East peace process from going
    forward. And so these are great interlocutors on behalf of the position
    we share. So there's an example of concrete action.
        I'm also looking forward to working with our European partners on
    the Middle Eastern peace process. Tony Blair is
    hosting a very important meeting in London, and that is a meeting at
    which President Abbas will hear
    that the United States and the EU is desirous of helping this good man
    set up a democracy in the Palestinian Territories, so that Israel will
    have a democratic partner in peace. I laid out a vision--the first U.S.
    President to do so--which said that our vision is two states, Israel and
    Palestine, living side by side in peace. That

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    is the goal. And I look forward to working concretely with our European
    friends and allies to achieve that goal.
        And finally, this notion that the United States is getting ready to
    attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are
    on the table. [Laughter]
        Bob [Bob Deans, Cox Newspapers].

    Democracy in Russia

        Q. Mr. President, I wanted to follow up on Plante's question, if I
    could. I wanted to follow up on----
        President Bush. Is this a question on Russia?
        Q. Sir?
        President Bush. This is a question on Russia?
        Q. Yes, sir.
        President Bush. Okay.
        Q. Do you believe, sir, that Russia is backsliding in its march
    toward democracy? What troubles you the most about that, and how is that
    going to shape your conversation with President Putin in 2 days from
    now?
        President Bush. I like a country with a free press--an independent,
    free press. And there has been some moves where the Russian Government,
    I guess, for better use of the word, didn't license certain members of
    the press. I think it's very important that President Putin hear not only from me in a private way, which he
    will, but also hear some of the concerns that I heard around the table
    today. There were some concerns from the Baltic nations. And I look
    forward to carrying their message that it's very important for President
    Putin to make very clear why he's made some of the decisions he's made
    and as well as respect his neighbors.
        And I'm confident that can be done in a cordial way. It's important
    for us to keep a constructive relationship with Russia. We've got a lot
    to do together. We've got a lot of common projects that will make people
    more secure around the world, one of which is to make sure that nuclear
    stockpiles are safeguarded. I look forward to talking to him about that.
    But I also will remind him that the United States believes strongly in
    democratic values.
        Thank you.
        President Juncker. That was it.
    Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 6:58 p.m. at the Justus
    Lipsius Building. The President met with Prime Minister Jean-Claude
    Juncker of Luxembourg, in his capacity as President of the European
    Council; President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso of the European Commission;
    and Secretary General Javier Solana of the European Council. President
    Juncker made a portion of his remarks in French, and his remarks were
    translated by an interpreter. In his remarks, President Bush referred to
    President Vladimir Putin of Russia; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the
    United Kingdom; and President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the
    Palestinian Authority. President Juncker referred to former Prime
    Minister Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon, who was assassinated on February 14 in
    Beirut. A reporter referred to Russia's Ambassador to the U.S. Yuriy
    Viktorovich Ushakov.