London, 21/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The new President of the United States, George W. Bush, could meet the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen and the European Commission on the fringe of the European Council of Gothenburg on 15 and 16 June.
It is the spokesman for Tony Blair who announced the holding of such a meeting between the American President and all the Heads of State or Government of the European Union, instead of the traditional EU/United States summit in which, on the European side, only the Troika takes part. George Bush could share a dinner with the Heads of State or Government present in Gothenburg for the European Summit.
Mr. Blair's spokesman made this announcement before the Prime Minister's departure for the United States, where he is to meet Vice-President Cheney at the White House, and President Bush at Camp David.
The holding of the meeting has not yet been confirmed in Brussels. "Mr. Bush has received our invitation, but regarding the forms and modalities, several options are under discussion and we are waiting for confirmation on his part", sources close to the Swedish Presidency stress.