[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 24 (Monday, June 18, 2001)]
[Pages 898-899]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to the Plenary Session of the United 
States-European Union Summit in Goteborg, Sweden

June 14, 2001

U.S.-EU Summit

    Q. Mr. President, can you share with us your message for the 
European leaders?
    The President. See, Fournier [Ron Fournier, Associated Press] asked 
you to ask that. [Laughter] I haven't made up my mind who I'm calling on 
at the press conference yet, so if you don't behave, you may not get 
called.
    Q. And chances keep diminishing. Right, sir? [Laughter]
    The President. Did you put him up to that, Ron?
    Q. I'm not that smart, sir. [Laughter]
    The President. Let me just say this. I'm honored to be the first 
United States President to come to Sweden, and I appreciate so very much 
the hospitality that we've received, and I'm so looking forward to these 
discussions. What the people of Sweden and Europe will realize is that 
mine is an administration that is deeply committed to a prosperous 
Europe and a whole Europe and a

[[Page 899]]

free Europe. And we look forward to a constructive relationship.

Note: The exchange began at 12:24 p.m. at Gunnebo Manor House. A tape 
was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.