Brussels, 06/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The working dinner held by Javier Solana on Wednesday with the designated Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who is soon to succeed Colin Powell, focused on preparing President Bush's visit to Brussels on 22 February and on main current international affairs (coordination of emergency aid after the tsunami in Asia, preparations for elections in Iraq and in Palestine, Iran and Ukraine). Mr Solana was confident transatlantic relations would be given fresh impetus during coming months. "We are trying for a propitious atmosphere for this relationship. Today was a day of gestures of goodwill", he told the press. On the subject of the Europeans' resolve to lift the embargo on arms exports to China as soon as a number of conditions are met, Mr Solana felt that the United States (which is opposed to this) should be "able to live with that". Mr Solana also held a meeting with Stephen Hadley, the future National Security Adviser to President Bush.