U.S.
President Barack Obama is preparing for the first European trip of his
presidency, with plans to participate in a global economic summit, NATO and
regional gatherings, and various bilateral meetings.
Mr. Obama will
leave for London on Tuesday to attend the summit of the G-20 industrialized and
developing nations. A White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Saturday that the
United States is going to listen, as well as lead, in talks about the global
economic crisis.
The U.S. president also has plans to meet on the
sidelines of the summit with a host of world leaders, including the British and
Indian prime ministers, the presidents of China and Russia, and the king of
Saudi Arabia.
Later in the week, Mr. Obama will meet in France with
President Nicolas Sarkozy and in Germany with Chancellor Angela Merkel. He will
also participate in a NATO working group.
After the NATO meetings,
President Obama travels to Prague where he will attend an EU summit. Mr. Obama
is also scheduled to hold talks with Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus and
former Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, as well as former Czech President Vaclav
Havel.
The U.S. president also plans a stop in Ankara, Turkey, for
meetings with President Abdullah Gul. He will also hold a round table with
students in an effort to reach out to young people in Europe and Southwest Asia.
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