Bush expresses confidence global hard times will be overcome

President Bush, wrapping up his final summit with world leaders, offered a message of hope that despite the worst economic crisis in decades, the global economy will emerge in better shape.

Bush was able to achieve victories on his two top priorities, winning endorsements for an action plan to deal with the economic crisis and agreement by his partners for a new round of discussions next month aimed at halting North Korea’s nuclear program.

He was expected to tout the benefits of free trade during a meeting Sunday with his host, Peru’s President Alan Garcia, before attending the final sessions of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum as he wrapped up three days of discussions.

The United States and Peru have a free trade deal about to go into effect between the two nations – one of a string of deals negotiated during Bush’s presidency.

On Saturday, the APEC leaders issued a statement endorsing a sweeping action plan that had been approved a week ago at an emergency meeting in Washington of the Group of 20, consisting of the world’s richest countries and major emerging economies such as China, Brazil and India.