Bush meets up with old friend Berlusconi

ROME - President Bush is urging Europe to more aggressively partner with the United States to look beyond trans-Atlantic issues and focus on global problems such as Mideast peace, curtailing the rise of radical Islamic terrorists and keeping regimes such as Iran in check.

"Instead of dwelling on our differences, we are increasingly united in our interests and ideals," Bush was to say in a speech Friday in Paris. "In leaders like Berlusconi and Brown, Merkel and Sarkozy, I see a commitment to a powerful and purposeful Europe that advances the values of liberty within its borders, and beyond."

The White House released a portion of Bush's remarks on Thursday, while the president was still in Rome. He is on a weeklong European trip, where he is meeting with Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.