Lunch between pals

It is not hard to see why Bush and Barroso hit it off. Both are fiercely pro-free market, believe in an iron-tight trans-Atlantic partnership, take a tough line on terror and hail from the right of the political spectrum. Bush will also forever be indebted to the former Portuguese premier for organizing a summit of pro-war leaders in the Azores on the eve of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The warmth seems to be reciprocated. With Bush's approval ratings in Europe hovering around 25 percent, there are not many politicians would dare to claim: "President Bush and I share the idea that our strategic partnership should serve to promote democracy, human rights, rule of law, and market economy around the world." (United Press International)