Bush says Middle East peace 'immediate goal'

President George Bush, on a visit to Europe, today hailed transatlantic ties and said Middle East peace was an immediate goal.

The United States and Europe “reaffirm their great alliance of freedom”, Bush said in Brussels.

“Our strong friendship is essential to peace and prosperity across the globe and no temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us.”

“Our robust trade is one of the engines of the world economy. Our example of economic and political freedom gives hope to millions who are weary of poverty and oppression.”

Bush devoted considerable time in his highly-anticipated speech to Middle East peace, saying it is in the interest of both Americans and Europeans to promote that goal.

“Our greatest opportunity, and our immediate goal, is peace in the Middle East,” Bush said.

He issued a strong warning to Syria, which he said “must end” its three-decade occupation of Lebanon.

Peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on a two-state solution was now within reach, Bush said. But he underscored that Israel must end settlement activity, that the future Palestine must be a democracy, and that Palestinian territory in the West Bank must be “contiguous … a state on scattered territories will not work”.

Bush also said that Iran “must not develop nuclear weapons”, noting diplomatic efforts to prevent this – led by several European nations – were continuing.

He praised Afghans, Palestinians and Iraqis for their free elections of recent months.

Addressing global warming – an issue which strained transatlantic relations after the United States rejected the Kyoto Protocol in 2001 – Bush claimed that new, cleaner technologies could guarantee that future economic growth would not damage the environment.

Bush – who meets Russia President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Slovakia - also said Russia must be committed to democracy and the rule of law.