"No temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us," Bush pledged at the start of a landmark visit to the heart of Europe.

"For more than 60 years, our nations stood together to face great challenges of history," he told a gathering of European dignitaries in Brussels on the first foreign trip of his second term aiming to bury the hachet over the US-led March 2003 invasion of Iraq.

"Yet, our relationship is founded on more than nostalgia. In a new century, the alliance of Europe and North America is the main pillar of our security," he said.

"When Europe and America stand together, no problem can stand against us. As past debates fade, as great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of transatlantic unity."

But as he prepared to come face-to-face with some of his fiercest critics over the Iraq war, it remained to be seen whether they would accept the US olive branch after Washington rode roughshod over their opposition to the conflict.

Earlier EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned grimly in an interview that "Iraq is not over".

But later in the day, he hailed Bush's speech. "What we have read in the speech is very, very positive, that the music is very, very good and that the content is also very good," he told reporters.

"When you see the agenda that he has dealt with, and you read it carefully, you see that a lot of the things he has said there belong very much to what we have been saying, in particular in (regard to) the Middle East," he added.

Bush also held warm talks with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who along with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder led opposition to the Iraq war.

Joining in with the spirit of reconciliation, Verhofstadt told the gala audience gathered in the old Concert Noble ballroom that the divisions over Iraq were now a thing of the past.

"The time has come to draw a line under the tensions of the recent past," he said, introducing Bush who will attend summits with NATO and European Union leaders on Tuesday.

"It makes little sense to continue arguing about who was right and who was wrong," he added. "Our tactics may sometimes differ, but our strategic goals remain the same."

US officials also hailed the reception given to Bush's speech, which won several rounds of applause and a standing ovation at the end.

"We have come a very long way with the Europeans since 2003, and the very difficult discussions about Iraq," said one, adding that "there is a sense ... that they're ready and eager to turn the page and work with the United States on a common agenda for action."

Bush later hosted a dinner for his old adversary Chirac, with the two men issuing a joint statement condemning the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri and calling for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops on Lebanese soil.

Bush was also due to meet with Schroeder on Wednesday, although Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer welcomed Bush's trip to Brussels, adding both sides should seize the chance to work together.

"I think when we look to the 21st century ... a strong transatlantic relationship and the power of the United States and Canada is of decisive importance for both sides," Fischer said.

But Timothy Garton Ash, from the European studies centre at Oxford University, said Bush did not address in his speech the issue of "why it matters for the United States to work with the European Union".

"I don't think he will convince many Europeans talking like that ... This is not a breakthrough speech," he said.

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