Bush hails US-European ties in Paris speech

 Paris, 13 June 2008 – U.S. President George W. Bush praised a new era in US-European ties in a speech delivered at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“Instead of dwelling on our difference, we are increasingly united in our interest and ideals,” said Bush to an audience of invited guests from the diplomatic corps in Paris, the French Government, the press and many important institutions. The President was accompanied by Secretary of State, Ms. Condoleezza Rice, and a number of high ranking US officials.

OECD Secretary-General Mr. Angel Gurría welcomed President Bush saying “I am very pleased to receive the President, Mrs. Bush and Ms. Rice in the OECD and to offer our hospitality. The visit testifies to the increasing relevance of the Organisation.”

The United States, like other OECD countries, benefits from membership both through the impact of OECD work on its own economy and in terms of its influence in international discussions on global issues.

• OECD provides a platform to support the Heiligendamm Dialogue Process, launched at the June 2007 G8 Summit with a view to deepening co-operation between G8 countries and the major emerging economies of China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa through a joint issue-oriented dialogue.

• OECD provides a forum for co-ordinating the aid efforts of major donor countries, enabling the United States to develop broader international recognition and support for its aid efforts and policy priorities.

• OECD’s Partnership for Democratic Governance is a multilateral initiative to help countries emerging from conflict to bridge short-term gaps in essential public services while developing their long-term capacity to deliver such services.

• OECD’s Anti-Bribery Convention serves to create a level playing field for fair business competition around the world.

• OECD’s Model Tax Convention and transfer pricing tax work facilitate trade and investment while helping to avoid double taxation.

• OECD work setting international standards for testing chemicals saves businesses and governments millions of dollars.

• OECD “rules of the game” for information technology help build security and trust for the on-line environment.

The business community has a strong interest in this event as it highlights the important relationship between the United States and the OECD in building international economic co-operation.

The OECD has been engaged with civil society since its creation, notably through the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC). BIAC promotes the interests of business at OECD by engaging, understanding and advising OECD policy makers on a broad range of issues with the overarching objectives of: positively influencing the direction of OECD policy initiatives; ensuring that business and industry needs are adequately addressed in OECD policy decision instruments; and providing Members with timely information on OECD policies and their implications for business and industry. BIAC is led by Chairman Mr. Charles P. Heeter, Principal, Deloitte & Touche USA, and its U.S. member is the United States Council for International Business (USCIB).

President Bush also spoke about the coming U.S. presidential elections, saying “When the time comes to welcome a new American president next January, I will be pleased to report to him that the relationship between the United States and Europe is the broadest and most vibrant it has ever been.”

The full text of President Bush’s speech can be found on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov and also on the OECD website at www.oecd.org/us/bush.

Additional information about OECD work on the United States can be read at www.oecd.org/us.

For more information about BIAC, contact Communications Manager Mark Primmer at the BIAC Secretariat.