BRUSSELS: President Bush has called for a new era of transatlantic unity, asserting that "no power on earth" can divide Europe and the United States.
Addressing Belgian government figures and EU and NATO officials on the first day of his four-day European visit, Mr Bush described the transatlantic relationship as the main pillar of European and American security.
"Our robust trade is one of the engines of the world's economy. Our example of economic and political freedom gives hope to millions who are weary of poverty and oppression. In all these ways, our strong friendship is essential to peace and prosperity across the globe - and no temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us," he said.
After an introduction by the Belgian Prime Minister, Mr Guy Verhofstadt, one of the most outspoken European critics of the US-led invasion of Iraq, Mr Bush urged his European audience to put past disputes with Washington behind them. To loud applause, he offered America's unequivocal support to Europe's project of political integration.
"America supports Europe's democratic unity for the same reason we support the spread of democracy in the Middle East - because freedom leads to peace. And America supports a strong Europe because we need a strong partner in the hard work of advancing freedom in the world."
Identifying the search for peace in the Middle East as "our greatest opportunity and immediate goal", Mr Bush said a settlement of the conflict was within reach. He declared that Europe and America had made a moral commitment to ensure that another Israeli and Palestinian generation would not grow up in an atmosphere of violence and hopelessness.
"Our efforts are guided by a clear vision: we're determined to see two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," he said.
The President said Palestinians must confront and dismantle terrorist groups, fight corruption, encourage free enterprise, and rest true authority with the people. But he reminded Israel of its responsibilities in facilitating the emergence of a viable, democratic Palestinian state.
"Israel must freeze settlement activity, help Palestinians build a thriving economy, and ensure that a new Palestinian state is truly viable, with contiguous territory on the West Bank. A state of scattered territories will not work," he said.
Mr Bush called on the EU to help with the reconstruction of Iraq and to offer support to the new Iraqi government. Acknowledging past divisions over Iraq, he said Europe and America now agreed on the way forward there.
"All nations now have an interest in the success of a free and democratic Iraq, which will fight terror, which will be a beacon of freedom, and which will be a source of true stability in the region. In the coming months, Iraq's newly elected assembly will carry out the important work of establishing a government, providing security, enhancing basic services, and writing a democratic constitution.
"Now is the time for established democracies to give tangible political, economic and security assistance to the world's newest democracy," he said.
EU foreign ministers yesterday approved a plan to train 770 senior Iraqi police officers and judges in the EU and in countries near Iraq. The Minister for Foreign affairs, Mr Ahern, said a senior garda would take part in the planning phase of the operation but there were no plans to train Iraqis in Ireland.
The EU foreign policy chief, Mr Javier Solana, described the EU initiative on Iraq as an important move in advance of today's talks with Mr Bush.
"This is the first united EU action ... which goes beyond the monetary, the economic aid that we have offered," he said.
Mr Bush was hosting a dinner for French President Jacques Chirac last night in advance of meetings with EU and NATO leaders today.
During the meeting with EU leaders today, the Taoiseach will lead a discussion on Russia.