European countries have a "tremendous desire and willingness" to bolster trans-Atlantic relations, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Friday after talks with US President George W. Bush. At a news conference with Bush, Blair spoke of the need to work together to restore stability to Iraq, boost democracy in Afghanistan and revive the Middle East peace process.
Blair, who has held himself out as a bridge between Washington and the Europeans after the rupture produced by the Iraq war, said he supported "very strongly" Bush's hope to strengthen the trans-Atlantic alliance.
"I think there is a tremendous desire and willingness, certainly (on) our part and the European Union to make sure that that alliance is strong," he said.
"It's necessary for us to be able to tackle many of the problems that confront us. I look forward to working with the president over these coming months in order to try and secure that progress that we have laid out for you today."