Contact: White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 202-456-2580
Oval Office
11:05 A.M. EDT
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
We have just had a wide-ranging, significant dialogue. We talked about a lot of areas of interest. Two areas that I think really will have a profound effect on our respective countries, as well as on the world, are the issue of climate change and trade.
Let me start with trade. The Prime Minister is very interested in the Doha Round. He's interested in
Secondly, we talked about climate change. The Prime Minister is concerned about greenhouse gases. I share your concerns about this issue. We talked about how, on the one hand, we can work together -- as I understand, we're signing some agreements that have -- that move forward alternative energy proposals. I assured the Prime Minister that here at home, that I'm concerned about the environmental issues, as well as the national security implication for being too dependent on oil.
I shared with him my optimism about reducing
The Prime Minister made this a center point of our conversation, and I fully appreciate and understand why. I appreciate the leadership you've taken on this important issue, not only in your country, but at the EU, as well. It's noticeable to me here in the
All in all, we've had a wonderful discussion, and I welcome you here to the Oval Office.
PRIME MINISTER REINFELDT: Thank you very much. It's been great. Thank you.
Well, I feel -- will say that I pointed out the importance of President Bush's leadership on the Doha Round. There are too few in the world fighting for free trade, so we need the President on that. And I hope we could, during a very short span, bring this to an end.
And I was so grateful for the comments and leadership on the climate issue. It will be debated many years to come. So thank you very much for that.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. Appreciate you coming.
END 11:10 A.M. EDT