    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 23 (Monday, June 16, 2008)]
    [Pages 809-817]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    The President's News Conference With European Union Leaders in Kranj

    June 10, 2008

        Prime Minister Jansa. Good afternoon, and welcome to Slovenia.
    Welcome to Brdo, where we have just concluded this year's summit meeting
    between the EU and the U.S.A. I welcome in our midst the President of
    the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush, and the President of
    the European Commission, Mr. Jose Barroso.
        For the U.S. President, this is the eighth summit and his second
    visit to Slovenia. It happened on the same spot; also, the press
    conference was held here. This is a historic event. On my visit to
    Washington 2 years ago, Mr. President, you welcomed us by saying that
    Slovenia is a piece of heaven on Earth, and we enjoyed your excellent
    hospitality. I hope we are returning that hospitality to some extent
    today.
        Our discussions at this summit were very good and open. We confirmed
    that the transatlantic partnership is solid and dynamic. This message
    carries special weight in the historic context of this summit. Sixty
    years ago, the U.S. offered the ravaged and divided Europe hope through
    the Marshall plan and through courage, solidarity, and vision. The first
    U.S. President, George Washington, once said that there will be a united
    states of Europe. This has not happened yet, but the European Union has
    been created, an area of freedom and progress uniting 500 million
    Europeans.
        The European Union and the U.S. share the most important fundamental
    values: democracy, free entrepreneurial initiative, respect for human
    rights and fundamental freedoms, and the respect for the principles of
    the rule of law. The EU and the U.S. together represent 10 percent of
    the world's population. The trade in goods and services amounts to =3
    billion a day, and they together produce almost 60 percent of the
    world's GDP. And together they contribute 75 percent of development aid
    to poor countries. However, they also emit the majority of greenhouse
    gases.
        Because of all these reasons, they also share a significant joint
    responsibility impacting the key global challenges. Our views on certain
    paths differ. Our views are different on, for example, the death penalty
    or the mandatory restriction on CO<INF>2</INF> emissions, but we are
    openly discussing these differences and looking for solutions.
        We spoke at length about the issues of climate change and energy
    security. These issues affect all humanity and our well-established
    habits and our way of life. We confirmed our readiness to face this
    challenge together. We in the European Union consider it necessary to
    define the mandatory objectives for reducing CO<INF>2</INF> emissions
    and to reach a global agreement. We must cooperate in protecting the
    environment, in

    [[Page 810]]

    searching new sources of energy, and in developing new technologies.
        High oil prices have forced us to intensify our search for new
    energy solutions. We are on the threshold of a new industrial
    revolution. Low carbon production and transport are becoming an economic
    necessity in addition to an environmental one. We need the most
    efficient solutions to the benefit of the present and future generations
    as soon as possible. The European Union and the U.S. will lead the new
    industrial revolution.
        We must also create broad alliances. Several important meetings are
    ahead of us this year. We have great expectations concerning the G-8
    summit and the U.N. conference on climate change in Poland.
        We spoke about the most topical issues of the world economy. Our
    goals include a secure future, preservation of jobs, and combating
    protectionism. We are determined to cooperate in eliminating the global
    imbalances and to attract to this task the new, fast-growing economies.
    We are committed to continuing discussions on the Doha development
    agenda within the framework of the WTO and to the realization of the
    Millennium Development Goals.
        We also discussed a series of regional issues. We focused in
    particular on the Western Balkans. In the European Union, we value
    greatly the role the U.S. played in the 1990s in putting an end to the
    violence in the region. Today, we are united and firm in our support of
    the prospect of these countries joining the Euro-Atlantic structures.
    This is the path which leads to peace and stability, as well as to the
    necessary democratic and economic reforms.
        We were informed of the work carried out by the Transatlantic
    Economic Council. We remain committed to the elimination of barriers to
    mutual trade, a process which will bring economic growth and create new
    jobs. We are in favor of establishing the Transatlantic Economic Council
    as a mechanism for bringing tangible results that will benefit both
    consumers and producers in the EU and the U.S. The European Commission
    and its President, Barroso, are making every effort to this end.
        The concrete results also includes the Air Transport Agreement. The
    first stage of the agreement has already entered into force. It
    liberalizes conditions for mutual investment and enables a freer access
    to air services. And in the middle of the former months, we launched the
    negotiations on the second stage. The work on the Aviation Safety
    Agreement has also been completed, and I hope it will be signed by the
    end of the month.
        We also spoke about visa-free travel to the U.S. for all EU
    citizens. I am pleased that we are close to seeing new countries join
    the Visa Waiver Program soon. We are aware that certain restrictions are
    necessary for security reasons. Nevertheless, we remain determined to
    ensure that the need for enhanced security will not restrict the visa-
    free travel for our citizens.

    [At this point, Prime Minister Jansa continued in English.]

        Mr. President, European Union and United States are most developed
    democracies. Last big EU enlargement, which included Slovenia and other
    Central and Eastern European countries, has been one of the great--
    greatest achievements in terms of promotion of democracy. Today, almost
    whole Europe is free and united. This is very strong message for 21st
    century. The world is now complex. Nobody alone can solve all problems.
    War, peace, security, and promotion of democracy, climate change and
    fight against poverty are global challenges today. Even together we are
    not able to solve all of them, but if we don't work together and we are
    not able to form even stronger alliance, then I'm afraid we won't
    succeed.
        I'm glad that we can conclude after last few and also after today's
    EU-U.S. summit that we indeed work together. Although we might have
    different approaches in some aspects, it should never overshadow the
    depth and quality of our cooperation. We covered, as I said, a wide
    range of issues during our talks, from foreign policy to economic
    cooperation. Many strategic projects are underway. Maybe we need to
    develop also a common name for them. Symbols and names are important in
    the world's politics.
        Mr. President, we led strongly to the rich story of your--this
    time's European tour--60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift and the

    [[Page 811]]

    Marshall plan. United States engagement did not only bring
    rehabilitation to Europe by promoting integration, it set an
    irreversible process in motion. Today, Slovenia is hosting EU-U.S.
    summit, something that seemed impossible 60 years ago; something that
    seemed impossible even 20 years ago, during the Slovenian Spring, when
    our streets were full of people fighting for freedom and democracy.
        Our history teach us that we must be ambitious. It's time to be
    ambitious. We have to create stronger alliance based on our democratic
    values--ever to protect them, but also to share them with others.
    Alliance of democracies is strong and credible toward inside and open to
    outside world. Alliance able to lead, to change, and to help; a new hope
    for those who suffer. Who else can start the work if the biggest and
    most developed democracies can't?
        Now I invite the President of United States, Mr. George Bush, to
    take the floor and then the President of the European Commission.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you. Commission President
    Barroso, it's good to see you. Thank you for your time and friendship.
    Let me correct the record, Mr. Prime Minister. I said, ``Slovenia was a
    little slice of heaven.'' I'd like to, with your indulgence, change my
    remarks. Slovenia is a big slice of heaven. [Laughter] And I'm----
        Prime Minister Jansa. Thank you.
        President Bush. ----honored to be back in your beautiful country.
    One of these days, I'm going to come back as a tourist. As you know, I'm
    close to retirement. [Laughter] And I'm looking forward to seeing more
    of your beautiful country and meeting more of your really gracious and
    hospitable people. So thank you very much.
        This is my eighth EU-U.S. meeting. My message at the end is that
    it's really important for the United States to stay close with the EU.
    It's in our interest that the EU be strong, vibrant, and it's in our
    interests to work hard to have a partnership that solves problems.
        And we discussed a lot of problems today. First, we discussed the
    freedom agenda. I find it ironic--not ironic, just interesting, that 20
    years ago, Mr. Prime Minister, you were in jail--[laughter]--because of
    your beliefs, because----
        Prime Minister Jansa. Not very happy times. [Laughter]
        President Bush. You shouldn't have been happy about it. But because
    you had the courage to stand up and speak out clearly for freedom for
    all people, you were put in jail. And it seems like that any time we
    find people who were put in jail because they're willing to speak up for
    freedom, those of us who live in free lands ought to work to liberate
    them, Mr. Prime Minister.
        And we spent a lot of time talking about how to help others realize
    the blessings of liberty, whether it be in the Balkans, whether it be a
    Palestinian state, and whether it be to use the EU as a way to encourage
    people to develop the habits of reformist societies.
        And, by the way, one subject we didn't spend a lot of time on that
    I'd like to clarify the U.S. position on is, we strongly believe Turkey
    ought to be a member of the EU. And we appreciate Turkey's record of
    democratic and free market reforms in working to realize its EU
    aspirations.
        We spent a lot of time on the Middle East. Besides the Palestinian
    state, we talked about Lebanon, Iran, and Syria. One thing is for
    certain: If more people lived in free societies in the Middle East, the
    Middle East would be a more hopeful and more peaceful place. And so we
    strategized as to how to do that, Mr. Prime Minister, and I want to
    thank you for that.
        I thank you for your support in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's amazing
    how these countries have gone from tyrannical situations to hopeful,
    young democracies. And I believe it's in our mutual interest to work
    hard to help these democracies survive for the sake of peace and for the
    sake of human rights and human dignity.
        We talked about Cuba. I want to thank very much your leadership--
    both of your leadership in having the EU summit in South America.
    Obviously, it's in the U.S. interest that you do so. We've got a lot of
    relations with countries in our neighborhood.
        I want to thank you very much for your expressions on Cuba. They
    said, before relations should go forward, all political prisoners

    [[Page 812]]

    ought to be freed. If the Castro administration really is different, the
    first way to show that difference to the world is to free the political
    prisoners. That's something, Mr. Prime Minister, that I'm sure you can
    relate to.
        We talked about Zimbabwe, Darfur, and Burma. We talked about how to
    make sure we have travel in a way that comforts our societies. I
    understand the visa waiver issue very well. I spend a lot of time
    talking to people that are worried about not being able to be treated
    like other members of the EU. I know the problem. We're on our way to
    solving it in a way that, I think, will satisfy countries as well as the
    EU itself, Jose.
        We spent a lot of time on Iran. And I appreciate the Foreign
    Minister, Solana, going to Iran to deliver a clear message: There is a
    better way for you to move forward than a way that, so far, has led to
    isolation. And a--Iran with a nuclear weapon would be incredibly
    dangerous for world peace. And so we've got to continue to work together
    to make it clear, abundantly clear to them, that it's their choice to
    make. They can either face isolation, or they can have a--better
    relations with all of us if they verifiably suspend their enrichment
    program.
        We talked about trade and the Doha round. We're committed to a
    successful Doha round. It's not going to be easy, but it's, in our
    judgment, necessary that we continue to work together. I appreciate
    Ambassador Schwab and Commissioner Mandelson's cooperation in trying to
    get an agreement that we all can live with. It's really important to
    defeat the voices of protectionism now. And if you're truly worried
    about global development, if you're worried about poverty, one of the
    best ways to help poor people is through trade. And so we're committed
    to the global round.
        I thought our discussions today were very good. And we don't--we
    spent time talking about HIV/AIDS and malaria on the continent of
    Africa. The United States is--looks forward to working with EU nations
    to helping alleviate folks from needless death. We've got a strategy in
    place that's effective, and we look forward to having partners join us.
        And then finally, of course, we talked about energy and global
    climate change. I assured the leaders we have a strategy that we think
    will be effective at addressing global climate change and, at the same
    time, dependence on hydrocarbons, and that is through a major economies
    meeting, a series of meetings, all aimed at getting the major
    developing--the major economies to agree to a firm goal and to commit to
    strategies to achieve that goal. The United States is more than willing
    to engage in those discussions. I will just tell you that unless China
    and India are at the table, unless they agree to a goal, unless they
    agree to firm strategies to achieve that goal, then I don't see how any
    international agreement can be effective.
        And so therefore, our strategy is to be realistic and to understand
    that the process is important but not nearly as important as the
    results. And so we've had good engagement, Mr. Prime Minister and
    Commission President Barroso. Thank you for your friendship. I'm--you
    know, it's interesting, my first visit as U.S. President to Europe
    included a--my first stop in Slovenia. My last visit as U.S. President
    to Europe includes first stop in Slovenia. It's a fitting circle.
    [Laughter]
        Thank you.
        Prime Minister Jansa. Thank you. Please.
        President Durao Barroso. Thank you. Thank you, Prime Minister Jansa,
    President Bush. I'll start by this point. I think it's very symbolic and
    important that this summit, here with President Bush, the last one you
    will be present as President of the United States, with European Union
    is in Slovenia, a country that, more or less, 25 years ago was not yet
    free and independent. And today, it's the Presidency of the European
    Council, is a member of the euro zone, is a member of the Schengen area,
    and assuming full its responsibilities.
        And let me underline this point, because it really deserves to be
    underlined. That would not have been possible without European Union and
    without strong transatlantic relationship, because during the cold war,
    we have always had support of the United States of America.
        And this is very important to understand, for the public in Europe
    and, I believe, also in United States, that the support of the

    [[Page 813]]

    United States of America to freedom and democracy and, indeed, to the
    European integration process was very, very important, and that this
    great project of European integration is well and running. Fifty years
    ago, we were 6 member states; now we are 27 countries. And this country
    where we were was not a free country. My own country, 45 years ago, was
    not a democracy. And now we have from the Atlantic to the Black Sea,
    from the Mediterranean to the Baltic Sea, democratic countries living
    together in peace and freedom.
        This is indeed a great achievement. And this achievement was
    possible thanks to the commitment of the founding fathers of the
    European Union to a united Europe, but also thanks to support of the
    United States of America. That's why I think it's fair to say to the
    United States sometimes, thank you. Thank you for all the support you
    have been giving to the integration and progress of democracy also in
    Europe.
        So I believe it's important that we put all our relations in this
    perspective: a community of values, a community of values not only for
    our respective nations but beyond, promoting and supporting a world
    based on human rights and democracy.
        President Bush and Prime Minister Jansa already spoke about the main
    subjects. I will not repeat what--everything they said. Let me just
    underline one or two points that are more in the competence of the
    European Commission.
        On trade issues, we must work hard to achieve a fair and balanced
    outcome to the current round of WTO talks. The deal remains there to be
    done if the political will is there. I believe the deal will be good for
    developing countries in terms of new opportunities. It will also give a
    needed boost to the global economy, including the European Union and the
    U.S. economies. Time to move is now. We have a fair and balanced deal in
    our grasp that will help us face the challenges of globalization.
        So I believe together the United States and European Union can make
    a difference trying to bring others to a more realistic position so that
    we can achieve that deal on Doha trade and development talks.
        One year ago, we have adopted a framework for advancing
    transatlantic economic integration, and I was proud, together with
    President Bush and Chancellor Merkel--then President of the Council--to
    create a Transatlantic Economic Council. We have put in place a new
    working method. Today I'm happy to say that in just 1 year of existence,
    this body has brought more and steadier progress on some issues than in
    many years before. We have made progress on open investment, on
    accounting standards, on finding alternative methods to animal testing,
    on certification of electrical equipment.
        This might be seen as rather technical, but all of these
    developments add up to major cost savings for European Union companies
    and United States companies as well. This is understood by all parties.
    There were reports made by the transatlantic business community as
    estimated economic benefits of the items on our TEC--on our
    Transatlantic Economic Council agenda--as $10 billion in terms of
    savings for business on both sides of the Atlantic.
        So it is fair to say that Transatlantic Economic Council has given
    new momentum to the bilateral economic agenda. Indeed, the European
    Union and the United States of America count for the largest bilateral
    trade relationship in the world. Transatlantic trade in goods and
    services totals over =1.9 billion a day, and the figures of all
    bilateral trade and investment show the high degree of interdependence
    of our economies. The European--the United States remains the largest
    export destination for the European Union. In a time of important
    challenges to our economies, we have reaffirmed our commitment to free
    trade, open economies in the face of protectionist voices on both sides
    of the Atlantic.
        The challenging economic situation makes the partnership ever more
    important. As we see with rising fuel and food prices, we, now in
    Europe, are discussing what are the right policy choices to increase
    energy diversification, energy efficiency, and also to improve food
    management. And we believe that these developments make it even more
    urgent to find a global agreement on climate change, and we spent a lot
    of our time discussing this.

    [[Page 814]]

        What we have in common? The will to come to that agreement. We need
    that agreement to be global, so, of course, to add also China, India,
    and others. And I believe it is important now to move ahead.
        We have discussed some of the events that we are preparing, like
    that major economies meeting and also the G-8 meeting. And we hope that
    the United States and Europe can work even closer in this matter,
    because we--European and American leadership--it's quite clear for me
    that it will be easier to get that global agreement. We are trying to
    get it by 2009 in Copenhagen, a United Nations agreement that could, of
    course, create the right response--global response for a global problem
    in terms of climate change. We need that not only because of a
    responsibility towards our planet, but we need also because of energy
    security concerns and also because of the rising food prices and the
    pressure that those prices are putting on our economies and the
    competitiveness of our economies.
        So those were two of the subjects that we have discussed--economic--
    more in detail: the economic and trade and investment relations and also
    climate change. There were many others that President Bush and Prime
    Minister Jansa also referred, but let me congratulate you, Prime
    Minister Jansa, for a very successful meeting and for the high quality
    of the debate and the open debate that you had today.
        Prime Minister Jansa. Thank you. Now we have time for a few
    questions.

    EU-U.S. Relations

        Q. Hello, Mr. President, here I am--Slovenian public television. Mr.
    President, as you mentioned before, this is probably your last visit in
    Slovenia and Europe.
        President Bush. As President. [Laughter]
        Q. As President, of course. With your past experience of last, let's
    say, 8 years, how can you see the future of the European Union and its
    relations with United States? There are certain problems.
        President Bush. Yes, there are problems. On the other hand, there is
    much more that unites us than divides us. Of course there is going to be
    problems and differences. That's normal.
        First of all, there's going to be differences within the EU. You
    got--you have 27 nations all trying to come together to forge a common
    agenda. That's why I'd much rather have my job than Jose's job.
    [Laughter] But there will be differences. But somehow they managed to
    forge a common position on a lot of key issues, and that's where we
    discuss these issues.
        And--but the thing that unites us--and this is important for all of
    us to realize--is that we share common values. And people say, oh,
    that's just corny; that doesn't mean anything. It means a lot if you
    believe in human rights and human dignity and rule of law and freedom to
    speak and freedom to worship. That's a lot. That's a foundation for a
    very firm and lasting relationship.
        And so I am confident that whoever succeeds me as President will
    understand the importance of the EU in regards to United States foreign
    policy and will work hard to make sure ties, you know, remain strong.
    But make no mistake about it, there will be differences of--on how to
    approach certain issues, and that's okay, just so long as we let those--
    don't let those differences divide us permanently, and I don't believe
    they possibly can.
        Moderator. All right, we'll take a question from the American side,
    Steven Lee Myers of the New York Times, please.

    Iran

        Q. Thank you, gentlemen. I wonder if I could ask about your
    statement on Iran and the communique today. And you described a
    combination of incentives as well as additional measures that you might
    take. And I wonder if you think that that is enough--the idea of the
    prospect of future action is enough or sufficient to get the Iranians to
    change their point of view?
        And for you, President Bush, sir, are you frustrated at all by the
    pace of the diplomatic negotiations underway, particularly in light of
    the IAEA findings and Iran's insistence that it's going to continue to
    enrich? Thank you.
        President Bush. I'll start. We've always made it clear to the
    Iranians there's a better way forward, that if they want to have a
    relationship with the EU-3 and the United States and other countries,
    they--all they've

    [[Page 815]]

    got to do is verifiably suspend their enrichment program. And the reason
    why that's important is that they learn to enrich, it means they've
    learned to--a key part of developing a nuclear weapon. And if they end
    up with a nuclear weapon, the free world's going to say, why didn't we
    do something about it at the time, before they developed it? And so now
    is the time for there to be strong diplomacy.
        You know, the fundamental question is not ours to make; it's theirs
    to make, and that is, are they going to continue on their path of
    obstruction? Will they continue to isolate their people? Are they going
    to continue to deny the people of Iran a bright future by basically
    saying, we don't care what the world says.
        And that's the position they're in. I'll leave behind a multilateral
    framework to work this issue. I think the Prime Minister said it's--you
    know, one country can't solve all problems. I fully agree with that. A
    group of countries can send a clear message to the Iranians, and that
    is, we're going to continue to isolate you; we'll continue to work on
    sanctions; we'll find new sanctions if need be if you continue to deny
    the just demands of a free world, which is to give up your enrichment
    program.
        They've ignored IAEA in the past, and therefore, they can't be
    trusted with enrichment. And I thought we had a very fruitful
    discussion. We're on the same page. And I want to thank both leaders up
    here and Foreign Minister Solana as well.

    Iran/Israel/Environment

        Q. [Inaudible]
        President Bush. This is ``Ask George'' day. [Laughter]
        Moderator. A question from the European side.
        Q. Yes. I would have a question for both of--President and the Prime
    Minister.
        President Bush. Which President? [Laughter] Let me guess.
        Q. The President of the United States.
        President Bush. Yes, all right. [Laughter] Sorry, Jose. Just trying
    to work you in the deal here, you know? [Laughter]
        Q. As you said, he's the Commission's President.
        President Bush. Okay, fine.

        Q. On Iran, I would like to ask you, Mr. President, there is--seems
    to be an emerging debate in Israel about a military option against the
    nuclear installations in Iran. How do you see that debate?
        And, Prime Minister Jansa, I would like to ask you on climate
    change, how do you rate the chances that in the following years there
    will be an agreement with the U.S. on this issue?

        President Bush. First of all, if you were living in Israel, you'd be
    a little nervous too if a leader in your neighborhood announced that
    they--he'd like to destroy you. And one sure way of achieving that means
    is through the development of a nuclear weapon. Therefore, now is the
    time for all of us to work together to stop them. There's a lot of
    urgencies when it comes to dealing with Iran, and the Israeli political
    folks--and if you go to Israel and listen carefully, you'll hear that
    urgency in their voice--one of many urgencies. And I'm hopeful we can
    get it done.
        And, by the way--I don't want to preclude the Prime Minister's
    answer--I think we can actually get an agreement on global climate
    change during my Presidency, just so you know.

        Prime Minister Jansa. I believe in a global agreement for a joint
    fight against climate change. This is, as a matter of fact, the only
    solution. An agreement or a self-commitment of the most developed or
    industrial countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is not enough,
    especially because some developing countries are developing really fast.
    China will, in a few years, become the first in terms of the greenhouse
    gas emissions. And a global agreement without the developing countries
    would be a short-term solution.
        So, as a matter of fact, we really need that everybody who is a key
    stakeholder sits at the table. And I have mentioned already in my
    introduction, those who are most developed should take the leading role.
    And therefore, this alliance, these agreements, these discussions on
    bringing closer the standpoints is of such significance.

    [[Page 816]]

        As President Bush has mentioned, the commitment of the most
    developed economies--which is mandatory to reduce emissions by a certain
    deadline--this is a key commitment. How individual economies this reach
    is less important. However, the goals must be set, and we must have
    mandatory goals, and this is of key importance. And in this way, we will
    reduce the threat of climate change.
        And of course, we should also attract to this task the other
    countries. Without the leading role of the European Union and the United
    States of America and without close cooperation, it is not possible to
    reach a global agreement in short term. Therefore, this discussion is of
    extreme importance. And the G-8 summit in Japan in next month should
    represent an important step forward if we wish, in time, before the U.N.
    conference in Copenhagen, reach this agreement. There is not much time
    left. The time is running out.
        Moderator. All right, we'll take the last one from John McKennon of
    the Wall Street Journal.
        President Bush. It's called technology. [Laughter]
        Q. Thanks again.
        President Bush. Yes. [Laughter] Glad to help out, you know.

    U.S. Monetary Policy/European Economy/EU-U.S. Relations

        Q. I'd like to ask each of you leaders about economic issues. For
    President Bush, will the United States intervene to support the dollar
    if your current efforts to talk it up don't succeed? And what also is
    your reaction to the Saudi Arabian proposal for a summit on energy
    prices?
        For Prime Minister Jansa, what effects are you feeling in Eastern
    and Central Europe from the rising energy prices and the rising value of
    the Euro? Did those factors pose a risk to growth and integration for
    those countries, for your countries?
        And for President Barroso, given the proliferation of disputes
    between Europe and the United States over food safety issues, is there a
    concern that the EU is being too restrictive on those issues?
        President Bush. Okay, John, interesting idea by the--His Majesty,
    the King of Saudi Arabia. Secondly, I articulated a policy that I had
    been articulating ever since I have been the President. It's the same
    policy, which is, we believe in a strong dollar and that relative value
    of economies will end up setting the proper valuation of the dollar.
        Prime Minister Jansa. Past growth, or growth with little comparison
    in the history--this is the growth of energy and food prices. And the
    food prices are going up due to high cost of energy or oil, and this has
    a significant effect on the economy in Slovenia and throughout Europe.
    This is one of the key questions being dealt with at the national level
    and at the level of the European institutions, as has been mentioned by
    President Barroso. This is a serious problem. It will, on the one hand,
    make us search long-term solutions. I have mentioned this in part
    before. And on the other hand, it will make us search short-term
    solutions. And one of these is energy efficiency.
        We have also discussed this at today's summit, and this is a strong
    message. The investment in research and development, the investment into
    what the economy can do, an economy that is less dependent on carbon,
    less dependent on fossil fuels, this will have a long-term strategic
    effect on the price.
        So the key is the technology. I remember the President of the United
    States saying 2 years ago at the summit meeting in Vienna that the key
    thing is investment in the development of new technologies. This is the
    key strategic reply to these challenge. And as far as the Euro is
    concerned, on the one hand, we are satisfied and happy that Euro is a
    strong currency. And since the 1st of January of last year, Slovenia is
    also part of the euro zone. And I can say that in the majority, the
    effects are positive. When calculating the high prices of oil in
    dollars, this slightly mitigates this jump. And on the other hand, this
    is also a problem for importers in the European Union. We wouldn't like
    to see a weak Euro and a strong dollar.
        Moderator. The press conference is nearly completed.
        President Durao Barroso. Honestly, I don't see the proliferation of
    difficulties with the United States on food. On the contrary,

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    some of the issues that we have been discussing for some time have now
    known some progress. What I believe is that on food and energy in
    general, there are issues that we have to address together. And some of
    those challenges are really global by nature, and we need to have a
    structured responses to them.
        There will not be quick fixes. Some of those developments are long-
    term structural challenges. What is important, by the way, is that in
    the short term, we do not take measures against what is the long-term
    solution for those problems--namely, once again, we need a global
    agreement on climate change, is best way to fight some of the problems
    of energy prices and also to address some of problems of food security,
    namely in some developing countries.
        But I don't see a proliferation of specific problems now on United
    States regarding food. On the contrary, I see a very cooperative
    position, and negotiations on the specific issues are going on with a
    very constructive mood.
        Moderator. Thank you very much. The press conference has finished.
    And now I give the concluding words to the Prime Minister, Mr. Janez
    Jansa, the President of the Council of the European Union.
        Prime Minister Jansa. Mr. President, before we conclude this press
    conference, let me repeat once again how much we appreciate your visit
    here after 7 years, concluding the circle, as you said. And we--our
    bilateral meeting, which we had in this morning, confirmed that Slovenia
    and the United States have established sound foundations for building
    excellent relations. And I want just to repeat the words from the
    President of the European Commission, that without the vital support of
    United States for this positive changes in Europe, before the fall of
    Berlin Wall and after it, maybe we wouldn't be here today at Brdo. And I
    surely wouldn't be here in this capacity. [Laughter]
        But I also want to say thank you because of one other thing. Sir,
    hundreds of thousands of Slovenes driven from homeland by the economic
    and political hardship of our history have found open hands and hearts
    in the United States. Some of them are making great contributions their
    walks of life in the United States. We are proud of them here in
    Slovenia. We are also pleased that the progress that Slovenia has made
    since independence gives them pride. And I'm sure that today, as we host
    this summit, there is a lot of proud Slovenes in the States.
        President Bush. Yes, sir.
        Prime Minister Jansa. Mr. President, this was your eighth EU-U.S.
    summit. During this last 8 years, our EU-U.S. strategic partnership has
    developed significantly. It has faced also some serious challenges,
    which we have successfully overcome. Today, we are closer to common
    position to our most important global challenges than ever. It is not
    too early, but it's not too late either. Thank you, Mr. President, for
    your leadership.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you. I appreciate you. Good
    job.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 2:35 p.m. at Brdo Castle.
    Participating in the event were Prime Minister Janez Jansa of Slovenia,
    in his capacity as President of the European Council; and President Jose
    Manuel Durao Barroso of the European Commission. President Bush referred
    to President Raul Castro Ruz of Cuba; Foreign Minister Javier Solana
    Madariaga and Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson of the European
    Union; and King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
    President Durao Barroso referred to Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.
    Prime Minister Jansa spoke partly in Slovenian, and those portions of
    his remarks were translated by an interpreter.