03/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a message sent to George Bush, who is to be in Rome on Friday and Saturday before taking part in the ceremony in France to celebrate the 60th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June 1944 in Normandy, the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi states that "sixty years after, our gratitutde toward America remains as strong and lasting as ever". In his message, Mr Prodi thanks America for its aid and encouragement to the European continent in the decades that followed saying that the Europe built over these past six decades, now with 25 member nations, is a Europe united in peace and freedom. He said this new Europe is for ever linked to America.