[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 38 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Pages 1220-1221]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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. 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.

    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 demand, require 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

[[Page 1221]]

in the international agenda, mainly the question of Kosovo and the 
Middle West problem. I had the opportunity to tell the President how 
Europe--[inaudible]--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 Quartet Representative in the 
Middle East Tony Blair.