President Bush’s 2008 European Tour: A Pictorial of the Trip

So many opportunities to work with our allies to solve problems!

President Bush’s European tour didn’t get much coverage. But it was an important trip. It gave the President to meet one on one with a number of our key friends and allies as well as participate in the EU-US Summit and other events.

Aside from the pomp of a Presidential tour, there was much substance as our allies are converging on the question of how to deal with Iran’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment and to review the progress and challenges ahead in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Like any great trip to Europe, the story is best told in photographs….

President George W. Bush speaks to the media before departing the South Lawn of the White House for Andrews Air Force Base en route to Europe for a weeklong visit during which he will address a variety of issues with counterparts in Slovenia, Germany, Italy, Vatican City, France and the United Kingdom. Said the President, “The U.S. economy has continued to grow in the face of unprecedented challenges. We 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. I’m looking forward to my trip…” White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

Mrs. Bush had left for Europe before the President and stopped in Afghanistan on the way:

Mrs. Laura Bush is greeted Sunday, June 8, 2008, by New Zealand troops performing a traditional warrior dance at the Bamiyan Provincial Reconstruction Team Base in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province. Standing with her is Major Justin de la Haye. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush walks through an honor cordon with Prime Minister Janez Jansa of Slovenia after arriving Monday, June 9, 2008, at Ljubljana International Airport on the first stop of his European visit. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush, center, participates in a meeting with European Union Leaders Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the Brdo Congress Centre in Kranj, Slovenia. President Bush is joined by US Special envoy for European Affairs, C. Boyden Gray, to the President’s right, and United States Ambassador to Slovenia, Yousif B. Ghafari, second to the President’s right.

Riders guide Lipizzaner stallions through their paces during an exhibition attended by President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at Brdo Castle in Kranj, Slovenia. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel take part in a joint press availability Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Schloss Meseberg in Meseberg, Germany. White House photo by Eric Draper

MESEBERG, GERMANY - JUNE 11: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President George W. Bush walk in the garden at Schloss Meseberg Palace on the second day of Bush’s visit to Germany on June 11, 2008 in Meseberg, about 30 kilometers north of Berlin, Germany. Bush is on a two-day visit to Germany as part of his last presidential trip to Europe. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

President George W. Bush waves from Air Force One as he arrives at Ciampino International Airport Wednesday, June 11, 2008, in Rome. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush participates in a joint press availability with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the Villa Madama in Rome. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush present Pope Benedict XVI with a framed photograph Friday, June 13, 2008, during their visit to the Vatican. The photo shows President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI together at the White House during the Pope’s visit in April. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush join Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, Vatican, as they watch a performance by The Pontifical Sistine Choir Friday, June 13, 2008, in the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy spend a few moments together talking during a sculpture unveiling Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is flanked by two U.S. World War II Veterans during wreath-laying ceremonies Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial in Paris. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

US first lady Laura Bush (C) visits French painter Claude Monet’s gardens with Debbie Stapleton (R), wife of US Ambassador to France, and Monet’s expert Claire Toulgouat on June 14, 2008 in Giverny, western France. French President Nicolas Sarkozy meets his US counterpart George W. Bush at Elysee palace in Paris on June 14, 2008. AFP PHOTO ROBERT FRANCOIS (Photo credit should read ROBERT FRANCOIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Marine One carrying President George W. Bush and Laura Bush lands at Windsor Castle Sunday, June 15, 2008 in Windsor, England, where President Bush and Mrs. Bush met with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush visit with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip in St. George’s Hall at WIndsor Castle in Windsor, England. White House photo by Eric Draper

On at least two stops on the President’s trip professional protesters showed up. Though why anyone thinks that a guy who looks like a terrorist protesting Bush is a good idea is beyond me. This guy was outside Windsor Castle. Fortunately, there was good security (see below).

Not your usual British “Bobbie”

After tea with the Queen, the Bush’s took the car out for a spin and stopped in to see the Prime Minister at #10 Downing Street:

President George W. Bush waves to members of the media as he and Laura Bush are met by British Prime Minster Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah, on their arrival Sunday, June 15, 2008 to 10 Downing Street in London. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

Walking up the stairs to Prime Minister Brown’s office President Bush passes by the portraits of former Prime Ministers including that of Margaret Thatcher in the upper right hand corner.

President George W. Bush is joined by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, left, and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness as they meet with reporters Monday, June 16. 2008, following their meeting at Stormont Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland. White House photo by Chris Greenberg