*EPF408 06/14/01
Transcript: Bush Remarks in Photo-Op at U.S.-EU Summit in Goteborg
(President looks forward to "constructive relationship" with Europe) (270)

Following is a White House transcript of President Bush's remarks in a photo opportunity before the start of the U.S.-European Union Summit in Goteborg, Sweden, on June 14:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary (Goteborg, Sweden)
June 14, 2001

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT TOP OF THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE U.S.-EU SUMMIT

Gunnebo Manor House
Goteborg, Sweden
12:24 P.M. (Local)

Q: Mr. President, can you share with us your message for the European leaders?

PRESIDENT BUSH: See, Fournier asked you to ask that. (Laughter.) I haven't made up my mind who I'm calling on at the press conference yet, so if you don't behave, you may not get called.

Q: And chances keep diminishing, right, sir? (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Did you put him up to that, Ron?

MR. FOURNIER: I'm not that smart, sir. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Let me just say this - I'm honored to be the first United States President to come to Sweden, and I appreciate so very much the hospitality that we've received, and I'm so looking forward to these discussions.

What the people of Sweden and Europe will realize is that mine is an administration that is deeply committed to a prosperous Europe and a whole Europe and a free Europe. And we look forward to a constructive relationship.

END 12:26 P.M. (Local)

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
NNNN