Bush supports strong EU

US President George W. Bush said yesterday the United States supports a strong European Union and their partnership is based on "common values and shared aspirations."

"The United States continues to support a strong European Union as a partner in spreading freedom and democracy and security and prosperity throughout the world," Mr Bush said at a news conference with EU leaders.

"My message to these leaders and these friends is that we want a Europe strong, so that we can work together to achieve important objectives and important goals," Mr Bush said.

Mr Bush and the European Union leaders sought to emphasize unity on Iraq and other trans-Atlantic issues yesterday at a summit overshadowed by a crisis within the EU.

Mr Bush met at the White House with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the rotating European Council, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

The European Union was in crisis over its failure to agree on a long-term Budget and to ratify a Constitution to give the world's biggest trading bloc greater solidarity.

The White House was watching the events with interest, but sticking to a scripted line that a strong Europe is in US interests.

"We've always said that that's a matter for the European countries to address. We support a strong Europe," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

The summit would focus on global political and economic issues between the two sides, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told reporters at a breakfast briefing.

Eight declarations would be issued at the end of the summit including the promotion of democracy and good governance, human rights and rule of law, increasing economic prosperity and championing security and development, she said.

Iraq figured to be an important topic, with a donors conference scheduled tomorrow in Brussels. Mr Bush is under pressure to show progress in Iraq, with concern among Americans about rising US casualties and no end-game in sight.

The Brussels conference is an opportunity for the Iraqi government "to talk about what their needs are before some 80 nations that will be there, and enlist further support from the international community for a democratic and peaceful Iraq," Mr McClellan said.

Ms Ferrero-Waldner said it was essential that Iraq be allowed to play a key role in the conference.

"It is for them to speak up and tell us what they want and for us to support them and to get neighbours to really work supporting them," she said.

Relations had improved markedly between the EU and the United States in recent months, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said. Disputes over the Iraq war had raised tensions between the United States and many EU members.

"We are now in much better shape in terms of our relationship. Since President Bush's visit in February, many positive results have come up," Ms Ferrero-Waldner said.