Outside the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, several hundred protesters gathered peacefully to denounce Bush and U.S. policies in Iraq and the Middle East.
Some demonstrators carried cardboard missiles attached to placards bearing the names of places attacked by U.S. air power. Signs posted on buildings and lampposts read "Bush Not Welcome."
Reaction to Bush's speech was largely muted. Some analysts said they were glad to hear Bush expressly state his support for a "strong Europe" as a U.S. partner, suggesting there was no longer a debate within the administration over whether a larger, integrated Europe posed a challenge to the United States.
Still, some European officials remained wary of the U.S. claims of progress in Iraq and elsewhere. European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, in an interview published Monday in the International Herald Tribune, said he remained pessimistic about Iraq's future and brushed aside any suggestion that the U.S. decision to invade the country had been vindicated by a strong voter turnout in recent elections there.
"It is not vindication," Solana said. "Think about it. What kind of regime will emerge? It is too early to say."
In his speech, Bush also demanded that Iran abandon what U.S. officials suspect are its ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. While Bush did not rule out using military force in Iran, he added: "Iran is . . . different from Iraq. We're in the early stages of diplomacy."
Britain, France and Germany have been working on a diplomatic solution to end Iran's nuclear program. But the Europeans fear that the talks will fail unless the United States becomes directly involved, which it has refused to do. The Bush administration has said that Iran is bound by international law not to develop nuclear weapons.
"The results of this approach now depend largely on Iran," Bush said.
Bush made only passing reference to the deep disagreements that strained relations with Europe during his first term. Instead, he focused on what he said were common values that link the allies.
"Our strong friendship is essential to peace and prosperity across the globe," Bush said. "And no temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on Earth will ever divide us."
Hours after his speech, Bush hosted a working dinner for Chirac, one of the most outspoken European opponents of the Iraq war, at the home of the U.S. ambassador to Belgium. A dish of Belgian "frites" was served, and Bush pointedly called them "French fries," a reference to the past tensions that led the item to be briefly renamed "freedom fries" in U.S. House cafeterias.
Spokesmen for Chirac and Bush said they enjoyed "a friendly exchange," marked by a willingness to work together.
"Every time I meet with Jacques, I get good advice," Bush said before their meeting. Chirac was equally gracious, saying the United States and France "share many ideals and values."
Prompted by the apparent comity, a French reporter asked Bush whether he planned to invite Chirac to the United States, "even to your ranch?"
"I'm looking for a good cowboy," Bush replied.
Staff writer Glenn Kessler in Washington contributed to this report.
