For further details see: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/41862.htm

Press Conference given by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Michel Barnier and Condoleezza Rice in Paris on 8th February
They talk about the need to reinvigorate the friendship of France and America, Iraq, Afghanistan.

A transcript can be found at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/42015.htm


Visit of Condoleezza Rice to Brussels, 9th February
Dr Rice meet with EC President Manuel Barroso and Benita Ferrero-Waldner to discuss a range of topics of concern to both the European Union and The United States of America. They agree that they work together to promote democracy, freedom, stability and prosperity throughout the world.

The transcript for the press conference can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/ne w s/ferrero/2 0 05/sp05_84.htm

Press Conference given by Condoleezza Rice after her meeting at The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters, Brussels on 9 th February.

They had extensive discussions including Afghanistan, Balkans, Kosovo, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Iraq. They also talked about the role of NATO and the US in the future.

A transcript can be found at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/42047.htm


PRESIDENT BUSH'S VISIT TO EUROPE : 21 - 24 FEBRUARY  

President Bush Discusses Trans Atlantic Alliance with EU Leaders
President Bush joined EU leaders in Brussels on the 21 February at the start his European visit.
During a speech at the Concert Noble President Bush spoke about the importance of the transatlantic partnership which over the last 60 has frustrated the plans of dictators and underpinned the development of political freedom, peace and prosperity across the European continent.

For more details see http://www .state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/42518.htm


President Bush and President Chirac discuss Common Values
President Bush joined the French President, Jacques Chirac for dinner at the US Ambassadors Residence in Brussels on the evening of the 21 February.

President Chirac remarked upon the important cooperation between the United States and France in Afganistan,the Balkans, Haiti and Africa. He also thanked the US military in assisting France in responding the Tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean.

President Bush welcomed the opportunity to discuss a number of key. issues with the President Chirac including Middle East peace, Lebeanon and Iran.

For more details see http://www.state.go v /p/eur/rls/rm/42520.htm


Joint Statement on Lebanon
President Bush and President Chirac issued a joint statement condeming the assassination of Former Lebenase Prime Minister Rafiq Harri and in their support for a free, independent and democratic Lebanon.

For further details see http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/prsrl/2 0 05/42522.htm


President Bush Meets General Secretary NATO
President Bush called NATO the most successful alliance in history and committed the United States to supporting its transformation to deal with the numerous security challenges of the 21st Century.

Secretary General De Hoop Scheffer welcomed President Bush's visit and his continued commitment to Nato so soon after his inauguration.

For more details see: http://www.state. g ov/p/eur/rls/rm/42523.htm

At the NATO summit attended by President Bush all 26 Allies agreed to contribute to NATO's assistance to Iraq, strengthen political dialogue in the Alliance and expand its operation in Afghanistan.

For more details see: http://www.nato.int/docu/comm/2005/02 2 2-nato/ 0 50222-summit.htm


Joint Statement on Iraq
The US and the EU issued a joint statement supporting the Iraqi people and the new Iraqi government which will shortly come into being. Both sides agreed to look into organising a joint conference to coordinate future support for Iraq.

For more details see: http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/ p rsrl/2005/42602.htm


President Bush and Chancellor Shroder discuss Partnership
President Bush met with Chancellor Schroder at Mainz in Germany on the 23rd of February
President Bush remarked upon the importance of the European project to the United States and the importance of Germany in ensuring Europe remains a strong and viable partner for the United States. Chancellor Schroder committed Germany to supporting the development of a stable democratic government in Iraq and joined the United States in seeking to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

For more details see: http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rl s /rm/42600.htm

President Bush meets with Slovakian Prime Minister
President Bush met with the Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava on the 24 February.

President Bush congratulated Slovakia in successfully developing a democratic free market state and becoming a new member of the European Union He also thanked the Slovkian Government for its military support in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Prime Minister Dzurinda lent his support to the US policy of developing freedom and democracy and preventing nuclear proliferation.

For more details see: http://www.state.gov/p/eu r /rls/rm/42649.htm


President Bush and President Putin discusses US RUSSIA Partnership

President Bush welcomed the commitment from Russia to accelerate the work to protect nuclear weapons and nuclear material and agreed to accelerate negotiations for Russia's entry into the WTO.

President Putin welcomed the strong partnership between Russia and the United States in the business, cultural and scientific fields. He also highlighted the importance of future cooperation between Russia and the US in counter terrorism initiatives including the neutralisation of the systems of financing and recruitment of terrorists.

For more details see: http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/4 2 693.htm


THINK TANK UPDATE

A New Transatlantic Agenda for Development
Louis Michel the EU Development & Humanitarian Aid Commissioner gave a speech at the European Institute on 28 th January. He highlighted three themes linked to development and showed that problems abroad affect people at home: security and development, trade and development, and health and development. He suggested that a new transatlantic agenda could achieve the necessary changes to make a difference.

For more details see: http://www.eurunion.org/N e w s /s p eeches/200 5 /050128lm.htm


A Compact between the United States and Europe
American and European Experts sign a compact proposing bold steps to repair relations. It has been arranged by the Centre for European Reform and Brookings institute.

http://www.cer.org.uk/


TRADE ISSUES

WTO dispute body establishes panels on US and Canada sanctions in 'hormones' dispute
The Dispute Settlement Body on 17 February 2005 set up two panels to examine, respectively, the United States' and Canada's continued sanctions against the European Communities' import ban on hormone-treated beef. At the same meeting, the DSB set up at the EC's request a panel to examine the US' compliance in the Foreign Sales Corporation case.

Further information can be found at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/dsb_17feb05_e.htm


Results of EU-US Stakeholder Consultation 'Strengthening the EU-US Economic Partnership'
Following on from the EU-US Summit in June 2004, the European Commission launched a public consultation among interested parties between October and December 2004, in order to explore existing impediments to further transatlantic economic relations and the means to eliminate them.
The link below is for the contributions of those respondents who agreed to the publication of their submission.

Further information can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/us/consultation/results/index.htm


EU and US Agree on New EU Rice Import Regime
The European Union and the United States have agreed on a new regime for imports of husked rice into the EU. The agreement constitutes a positive and pragmatic solution, balancing the interests of EU producers with the need to supply the EU market on the one hand, while avoiding a potential trade dispute and preserving WTO rights of all parties concerned on the other.

Further information can be found at: http://www.eurunion.org/news/press/2005/2005023.htm


US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez meets EC Vice -President   Gunter Verheugen - 16th February 2005
US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and EC Vice-President Günter Verheugen , responsible for Enterprise and Industry , met today in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss how to promote economic growth and policies that keep our economies flexible and innovative. They discussed the importance of industry, entrepreneurship and the role of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue ("TABD") in strengthening EU-US relations .

More on: http://www.eurunion.org/news/press/200 5 /2005 0 18.htm