Bush to discuss economy on Europe trip

U.S. President George Bush has expressed concern about the economy as he set off on what is widely expected to be the final trip to Europe of his presidency. Bush said he would talk to European leaders about high fuel prices and the need for a strong U.S. dollar. Bush to discuss economy on Europe trip "It is in the interest of the global economy," he told U.S. reporters. His week-long trip will take in the annual U.S.-European Union summit, taking place in Slovenia, as well as Germany, Italy, France, the Vatican and the UK. However, the BBC says that what is likely to be Bush's valedictory trip to Europe has become something of a sideshow. The eyes of many peoples and governments in Europe will instead be on Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, as Europe hopes for better things from the next U.S. president, the BBC says. Bush's trip is intended to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Europe but he and his European hosts may clash on such issues as climate change and trade, analysts say. Bush spoke of the work to be done in Afghanistan, ahead of his trip to Europe Speaking before his departure, Bush said he would be talking about the need to develop new technologies to help reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels. He has asked the US Congress to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, in Alaska, for oil production in order to try to help meet the demand for fuel in the U.S., he said. The cost of oil hit a record high on Friday, coinciding with a dollar slump, plummeting share prices on Wall Street and U.S. unemployment suffering its biggest rise in 20 years. However, Bush expressed long-term confidence in the U.S. economy, saying it had continued to grow "in the face of unprecedented challenges". "We've got to keep our economies flexible. Both the U.S. economy and European economies need to be flexible in order to deal with today's challenges," he said. Bush's talks with leaders are also expected to focus on aid efforts in Afghanistan, the US push for more sanctions against Iran over the nuclear issue and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Bush to discuss economy on Europe trip

"It is in the interest of the global economy," he told U.S. reporters.

His week-long trip will take in the annual U.S.-European Union summit, taking place in Slovenia, as well as Germany, Italy, France, the Vatican and the UK.

However, the BBC says that what is likely to be Bush's valedictory trip to Europe has become something of a sideshow.

The eyes of many peoples and governments in Europe will instead be on Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, as Europe hopes for better things from the next U.S. president, the BBC says.

Bush's trip is intended to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Europe but he and his European hosts may clash on such issues as climate change and trade, analysts say.

Bush spoke of the work to be done in Afghanistan, ahead of his trip to Europe

Speaking before his departure, Bush said he would be talking about the need to develop new technologies to help reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels.

He has asked the US Congress to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, in Alaska, for oil production in order to try to help meet the demand for fuel in the U.S., he said.

The cost of oil hit a record high on Friday, coinciding with a dollar slump, plummeting share prices on Wall Street and U.S. unemployment suffering its biggest rise in 20 years.

However, Bush expressed long-term confidence in the U.S. economy, saying it had continued to grow "in the face of unprecedented challenges".

"We've got to keep our economies flexible. Both the U.S. economy and European economies need to be flexible in order to deal with today's challenges," he said.

Bush's talks with leaders are also expected to focus on aid efforts in Afghanistan, the US push for more sanctions against Iran over the nuclear issue and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.