[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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