President Bush is urging the European Union to support Iraq's interim government. The subject is topping the agenda for his talks in Ireland with the current EU president, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
They have a lot to talk about, from terrorism to trade. But Mr. Bush's focus during this latest round of European summitry is on Iraq.
During talks at a centuries-old castle-turned-luxury hotel, the president is seeking to repair ties, frayed during the lead up to the war in Iraq. He is expected to get words of support for the interim Iraqi government from Prime Minister Ahern and EU officials, but no major commitments.
Four-thousand Irish police and another 2,000 soldiers have been deployed here in County Clare for this U.S. - EU meeting. Protesters took to the streets of the Irish capital Friday and are vowing to make the trip west to the summit site.
Security is even tighter in Mr. Bush's next stop, Ankara, Turkey, where he will meet with Turkish leaders, before going on to the NATO summit in Istanbul. The president has been urging NATO to help train Iraqi soldiers, and there are indications some sort of agreement is in the offing.