Statement by the Press Secretary: President Bush to Welcome Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates to White House

President Bush will welcome Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates to the White House on September 17, 2007, in his dual roles as Prime Minister and head of the European Union Presidency. The President looks forward to discussing a broad range of issues of shared interest with the Prime Minister, including transatlantic relations, advancing peace and security in Afghanistan and the Middle East, ending the genocide in Darfur, and enhancing cooperation on international trade, counterterrorism, energy security, and climate change. The President welcomes the opportunity to discuss with the Prime Minister ways to build on our strong relations with the European Union under the Portuguese leadership.