Statement by the Press Secretary: President Bush to Welcome German Chancellor Schroeder

President Bush will welcome German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to the White House for a meeting and working lunch on February 27, 2004. Germany is a long-standing ally and the President looks forward to extensive discussions with Chancellor Schroeder on important bilateral and global issues. As a major contributor to the effort to bring peace and democracy to Afghanistan, Germany has led the way in expanding NATO's international security assistance force beyond Kabul. Germany is a key partner in forging closer U.S.-European political and economic relations.