Blair arrives in Washington for summit with Bush

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair arrived in Washington from Canada last night for his first summit with US President George…

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair arrived in Washington from Canada last night for his first summit with US President George W. Bush.

Mr Blair and President Bush will meet today at the US presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, where they will hold two sessions of talks that will focus on bilateral defense and economic relations as well as world trade, a spokesman said.

Mr Blair arrived at Andrews Air Force Base before midnight and was greeted by British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer. According to the spokesman, the British Prime Minister considers forming a personal relationship with Mr Bush very important for Britain and the European Union.

Mr Blair made no public comments on landing and was promptly whisked away to the British ambassador's residence.

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US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, national security adviser Ms Condoleezza Rice and White House Chief of Staff Mr Andrew Card will also attend the summit.

Mr Blair yesterday met Canadian Prime Minister Mr Jean Chretien in Ottawa for an hour of talks, after a speech to the Canadian parliament in which he spoke of the importance of transatlantic partnership.

AFP