Statement by the Press Secretary: President and Mrs. Bush to Travel to Europe

The President and Mrs. Bush will travel to Europe from June 9 to June 16, 2008, to strengthen the trans-Atlantic partnership and to celebrate the enduring friendship between our nations based on shared democratic values. The President and Mrs. Bush's visit will also commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Marshall Plan and the Berlin Airlift, underscoring the historic and continuing U.S. role in supporting a Europe increasingly whole, free, and at peace. The President will begin his trip by participating in the annual U.S.-European Union (EU) Summit in Slovenia. Following the Summit, the President and Mrs. Bush will visit Germany, Italy, the Holy See, France, and the United Kingdom.