For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 19, 2005
President's Radio Address
Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Tomorrow I leave on a trip to
Europe, where I will reaffirm the importance of our transatlantic
relationship with our European friends and allies.
Over the last several weeks the world has witnessed momentous
events -- Palestinians voting for an end to violence; Ukrainians
standing up for their democratic rights; Iraqis going to the polls in
free elections. And in Europe, I will talk with leaders at NATO and
the European Union about how we can work together to take advantage of
the historic opportunities now before us.
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Leaders on both sides of the Atlantic understand that the hopes for
peace in the world depend on the continued unity of free nations. We
do not accept a false caricature that divides the Western world between
an idealistic United States and a cynical Europe. 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.
In Iraq, our shared commitment to free elections has stripped the
car bombers and assassins of their most powerful weapon, their claim to
represent the wishes and aspirations of the Iraqi people. In these
elections, the European Union provided vital technical assistance.
NATO is helping to train army officers, police and civilian
administrators of a new Iraq. And 21 of our European coalition
partners are providing forces on the ground. America and Europe are
also working together to advance the cause of peace in the Holy Land,
where we share the same goal of two democratic states, Israel and
Palestine, living side by side in peace and freedom.
In my inaugural address I said that the liberty we espouse is a
universal aspiration. Many Americans trace their roots back to Europe,
and we can trace many of our founding ideals there, as well. It was a
Frenchman who taught the framers of our Constitution the importance of
the separation of powers. It was a Scot who explained the virtues of a
free market. It was an Englishman who challenged us to correct the
principal defect of our founding, the plague of slavery. And it was an
Italian who gave us our name: America.
America's strong ties to Europe are reflected in the largest
two-way trading and investment relationship in the world. Today more
than a fifth of all U.S. exports go to the European Union, and millions
of Americans depend for their paychecks on the local affiliates of
European parent companies.
I will work with our European partners to open markets and expand
opportunities for our businesses, our workers and farmers, and to
advance the Doha Round of trade talks. I will make clear that one of
my top priorities is to reduce the remaining European barriers to U.S.
agricultural goods.
Even the best of friends do not agree on everything. But at the
dawn of the 21st century, the deepest values and interests of America
and Europe are the same: defeating terrorism, conquering poverty,
expanding trade and promoting peace. On both sides of the Atlantic,
terrorist attacks on our cities and civilians have shown that freedom
has dangerous enemies, and that the key to a lasting peace is the
advance of human liberty.
Today, security and justice and prosperity for our world depend on
America and Europe working in common purpose. That makes our
transatlantic ties as vital as they have ever been. And during my
visit to Europe next week I will discuss with our friends and allies
how we can strengthen those ties to build a future of peace and freedom
for our children.
Thank you for listening.
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