WASHINGTON — As President Barack Obama embarks on his first overseas trip as president, he is vowing to listen to his foreign counterparts and lead by example when world powers meet in Europe this week to address the economic crisis and work to stem future financial catastrophes.
Obama’s jam-packed agenda includes a speech in France on the U.S. transatlantic relationship. He’ll deliver another one in the Czech Republic on proliferation. Then he’s off to hold a roundtable in Turkey with students. He also has plans to meet with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, as well as a slew of other heads of state as part of a rigorous schedule.
“It’s an opportunity . . . to not just confront the inherited challenges that the administration took on but also to re-energize our alliances to confront the looming threats of the 21st century,” said Denis McDonough, the administration’s deputy national security adviser for strategic communications.
Although economics certainly will dominate discussions, advisers said nuclear proliferation, cyber threats, climate change, energy security, terrorism and Obama’s strategy for Afghanistan also will be discussed at G20, European Union and NATO gatherings.
The president’s itinerary
London: G20 summit, starts Thursday. Also one-on-one meetings with leaders of Britain, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India and South Korea
France, Germany: Meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and participate in a NATO working group
Prague: European Union, next weekend
Turkey: Advisers say Obama will make clear that Turkey is a “vital” member of NATO and a close ally of the United States.
