    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 17, 2007]
    [Pages 1207-1208]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Jose
    Socrates of Portugal
    September 17, 2007

        The President. Thank you for coming. It has been my honor to welcome
    the Prime Minister of a steady ally and a good friend to the Oval
    Office. Not only does Prime Minister Socrates represent a close friend,
    he also has got an important assignment, and that is to lead the EU
    right now. And so we had--we discussed our bilateral relations. And I
    asked the Prime Minister, I said, ``How would you frame our bilateral
    relations?'' He said, ``Good.'' Well, you know, I feel the same way. And
    I thank you for coming.
        I do want to thank the people of Portugal for supporting your
    decision to help the people of Iraq and Afghanistan realize the
    blessings of freedom, and I appreciate that. I know those aren't easy
    decisions to make, but the people in those countries that believe that
    they should live in a free society and want to live in a free society
    appreciate your contributions as well.
        And I thank you very much for the comprehensive dialog we've had on
    issues of common concern as the--in your role as the--at the EU. First,
    we discussed and confirmed that the transatlantic relations are very
    important for the United States and the EU. And the Prime Minister said
    he wants to work closely with the United States, and I said I want to
    work closely with the Prime Minister to keep the transatlantic ties very
    strong.
        Secondly, we talked about issues like Darfur, Doha. We talked about
    Kosovo and the Middle East. And both of us are committing to working
    together to see if we can't solve those problems, or at least put them
    in a better position.
        And so, Mr. Prime Minister, you're welcome here any time. I
    appreciate that you're setting such a good example for people in your
    own country and around the world by being an avid exerciser at the ripe
    old age of 50.
        Prime Minister Socrates. Thank you.
        President Bush. And you're welcome to come to the Oval Office again.
    Please.

    [[Page 1208]]

        Prime Minister Socrates. Thank you, Mr. President. It was a very
    sympathetic conversation with you. And thank you for the invitation and
    the opportunity to present to you what are the priorities for Europe in
    the months ahead. In particularly, we had the opportunity to discuss the
    transatlantic relation and importance to Europe on the relation with the
    United States. As a matter of fact, I don't see any strategic question
    for the world that don't demands, requires the most--the better
    relations between Europe and United States.
        And thank you also for the opportunity to discuss some of our more
    delicate matters in the international agenda, mainly the question of
    Kosovo and the Middle West problem. I had the opportunity to tell the
    President how Europe has viewed with good eyes the declaration on Middle
    East of the President Bush, the nomination of Tony Blair. And we are
    feeling that the peace process is moving, and it's very good for Middle
    East, of course, for Europe, and for the world.
        Also, our discussions about Kosovo show that the cooperation between
    Europe and the United States is very important for safety and for
    stability in the world. And I guaranteed to the President that the first
    priority I have in my mind regarding Kosovo is, keep Europe united. And
    we will do my best in order to face the delicate problem, but important
    for Europe in order to show a strong and united Europe.
        Well, thank you very much.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. Prime Minister Socrates referred to former Prime Minister Tony
    Blair of the United Kingdom, Quartet Representative in the Middle East.