By Bruno Waterfield - 22nd February 2005
George W Bush has concluded the EU leg of his European tour with Trans-Atlantic rifts over Iraq closed but with new divisions over China, Iran and NATO.
Closing his trip to Brussels the US president played down moves by France and Germany to make the EU, and not NATO, the primary Trans-Atlantic institution.
Bush’s summit with NATO and then EU leaders has been regarded as significant Washington recognition of Europe’s new role.
The EU, with a growing military role too, is the key interlocutor on a growing number of issues – from Iraq to arms embargos on China.
But Bush insisted that “both [are] a part of an important dialogue with Europe”.
“NATO was set up for security matters. The EU is set up as a way to make Europe function better, to be able to achieve objectives for her people,” he told journalists.
“The US looks forward to working with Europe both within NATO and as the European Union.”
Bush played down EU-US differences over Iran stressing that both sought the common objective of halting Tehran’s nuclear weapon ambitions.
And while heaping ridicule on suggestions that a US attack on Iran was imminent, Bush did not rule our future military action.
“This notion that the US is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous,” he said, adding; “having said that, all options are on the table.”
During a meeting with Europe’s leaders Bush heard concerns from EU Baltic member states over Russia’s progress on democratic reforms.
The US President pledged to take up issue directly during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava on Thursday.
“I think it's very important that President Putin hear not only from me in a private way, which he will, but also hear some of the concerns I heard around the table today,” he said.
“There were some concerns from the Baltic nations. And I look forward to carrying their message that it's very important for President Putin to make very clear why he's made some of the decisions he's made, and
as well as respect his neighbours.”
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