EU still split over diplomacy with US

Report of a press conference following the close of the European Council in Brussels on 5 November 2004. Britain and France disagreed over the re-election of US President George W. Bush. However, a joint statement by European Union leaders said the latter looked forward to 'working very closely with President Bush …'. The press conference was held jointly with Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi who visited the EU Summit. EU leaders declared their support for Mr Allawi but stopped short of agreeing to his demand for an EU presence in Iraq as soon as possible.