President George W Bush went to Europe today on a five-day trip aimed at fostering a friendly atmosphere early in his second term and addressing questions on how to deal with Iran, Syria and the future of NATO.
Mr Bush left for Brussels to meet with European Union and NATO leaders.
He will give a speech tomorrow setting the tone for his visit, underscoring his bedrock belief that spreading freedom will make the world more peaceful.
He will offer a sweetener to governments upset by his abrupt withdrawal from the Kyoto treaty in 2001 by saying climate change is a problem and offering to work together on new technologies.
He will seek a fresh start in relations with French President Jacques Chirac by meeting him at a working dinner, and will go to Mainz, Germany, on Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
Mr Chirac and Mr Schroeder led European opposition to the Iraq war but officials on both sides of the Atlantic see an intense period of rapprochement under way so they can work together on Iraq's reconstruction and other urgent priorities.
"America and Europe are the pillars of the free world. We share the same belief in freedom and the rights of every individual, and we are working together across the globe to advance our common interest and common values," Mr Bush said in his weekly radio address yesterday.
Mr Bush will end his trip in Bratislava, Slovakia, where he will praise the country's democracy and will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and raise US concerns Putin is backsliding on Russian democracy and centralizing power.
"He's done some things that has concerned people," Mr Bush told Slovak state television.
Europe and the United States appeared united on the need to put pressure on Syria after the targeted killing last Monday of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Syria denies involvement in the death but Washington suspects it had a role and is pressing Syria to remove its troops from Lebanon.