WASHINGTON - The White House says U.S. President George Bush will travel to Europe next month to strengthen the trans-Atlantic partnership between the U.S. and European nations.White House spokeswoman Dana Perino Tuesday said the eight-day trip, beginning June 9 will include stops in Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, and the Vatican.

Mr. Bush is scheduled to attend an annual summit between the European Union and the United States, being held this year on June 10 in Slovenia.

Mr. Bush, along with his wife Laura Bush, will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Marshall Plan, which provided U.S. reconstruction aid to Europe after World War II. They also will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, a U.S. operation to bring much-needed supplies into the western half of the divided German city, which was cut off by a Soviet blockade.

Source:  VOA News