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Dreamer128 · 12-09-2004, 05:59 PM

09.12.2004 - 16:20 CET | By Andrew Beatty

US President George W. Bush is set to visit Europe on 22 February, his first foreign trip of the new presidency, which begins in January.

Mr Bush’s visit is likely to be taken as a symbolic gesture aimed at underscoring the importance of transatlantic ties

It may also provide an opportunity for repairing relations after the Iraq war.

Many European countries opposed the war and George W. Bush is deeply unpopular throughout much of Europe.

A rash of trade disputes - most notably over government subsidies to European and US aerospace manufacturers Airbus and Boeing - have done nothing to heal the rifts which surfaced during the run up to the war in Iraq.

The announcement comes as Colin Powell visits Brussels today (9 December) for meetings with NATO and on Friday in The Hague for an EU-US ministerial meeting.

Mr Powell has pressed European countries to pledge more troops to help bolster security in Iraq.

He has also spoken of his administration's commitment to transatlantic ties.

"We are reaching out to Europe and we hope that Europe will reach out to us", he said on Wednesday.

(EUObserver)

12-09-2004, 05:59 PM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 40 Posts: 6,136	09.12.2004 - 16:20 CET \| By Andrew Beatty US President George W. Bush is set to visit Europe on 22 February, his first foreign trip of the new presidency, which begins in January. Mr Bush’s visit is likely to be taken as a symbolic gesture aimed at underscoring the importance of transatlantic ties It may also provide an opportunity for repairing relations after the Iraq war. Many European countries opposed the war and George W. Bush is deeply unpopular throughout much of Europe. A rash of trade disputes - most notably over government subsidies to European and US aerospace manufacturers Airbus and Boeing - have done nothing to heal the rifts which surfaced during the run up to the war in Iraq. The announcement comes as Colin Powell visits Brussels today (9 December) for meetings with NATO and on Friday in The Hague for an EU-US ministerial meeting. Mr Powell has pressed European countries to pledge more troops to help bolster security in Iraq. He has also spoken of his administration's commitment to transatlantic ties. "We are reaching out to Europe and we hope that Europe will reach out to us", he said on Wednesday. (EUObserver)