President Bush has forcefully dismissed any idea the United States has any plans for attacking Iran to keep its government from developing nuclear arms.
Speaking after talks in Brussels with top leaders of the 25 European Union countries, Mr. Bush said blocking Iran's development of nuclear weapons is a common U.S. and EU goal. But he called the notion of an attack on Iran simply ridiculous.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said the sides had agreed to co-host an international conference on reconstruction of Iraq if the government of that country seeks such a meeting.
Earlier, after talks with NATO leaders, Mr. Bush reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the alliance, calling it the cornerstone of transatlantic relations. His comments came as he continues his European visit aimed at rebuilding ties strained by disagreements, including those over the U.S.-led war in Iraq,
Mr. Bush meets Wednesday in Germany with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Slovakia on Thursday.