Rice endorses European unity, U.S. ties

BRUSSELS, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told European leaders there is no inherent tension between a united Europe and strong ties with Washington.

Her remarks, capping a whirlwind tour of Europe and the Middle East, came as she expressed strong hopes different approaches to Iran and China would be managed within the trans-Atlantic relationship, the Financial Times reported Friday.

"We have to keep reminding everybody that there is not any conflict between a European identity and a trans-Atlantic identity," she said.

Anticipating President Bush's visit to Brussels later this month, Rice added: "I very much want to call to everyone's attention that is why the president is coming to the European Union."