EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana gave a warm reception Monday to a keynote address by US President George W. Bush, saying its content closely matched what European leaders had long been advocating, particularly on the Middle East.
Bush opened a European tour in Brussels aimed at healing transatlantic divisions that had widened over Iraq. In his address he called for a renewed partnership with Europe, progress on Middle East peace, and stronger democratic institutions in Russia.
Speaking on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers meeting, Solana described the speech as "very, very positive" and said Bush's stated agenda aligned well with European priorities.
Bush was scheduled to hold separate summits with EU and NATO leaders on Tuesday. Solana said he expected the bilateral meeting to carry considerable weight.
EU foreign ministers also agreed Monday to launch a training program for roughly 770 Iraqi judges, investigative magistrates, police officers, and prison officials. Solana called the decision the first truly unified EU action toward Iraq and said it would send a strong signal to Washington at the following day's summit.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in February 2005, in its own words.