Bush on farewell tour of Europe
President Bush opened a farewell tour of Europe in tiny, picturesque Slovenia, current head of the European Union and the most successful state to emerge from the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Home to just 2 million people, the Alpine country is hosting this week’s annual summit between the United States and the 27-nation European Union. The two sides will debate such issues as the Iranian nuclear program and a ban on U.S. poultry imports, though officials expect few firm agreements.
Slovenia and some of its neighbors are urging the United States to ease visa restrictions on former Communist bloc nations.
Slovenia was admitted in 2004 to both the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Bush will meet with Prime Minister Janez Jansa and President Danilo Turk. He will also travel to Berlin, Rome, Paris and London as part of his last scheduled presidential trip to Europe.
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