WASHINGTON, May 2 (Xinhuanet) -- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that the United States supports European unity and integration and a strong Europe will be good for transatlantic relations.

    "The United States has been, from the very beginning, supportive of European integration, going all the way back to the Coal and Steel Community. And the United States remains supportive of the European project," Rice said after her meeting with French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier.

    "We believe that a united Europe, a Europe that is strong and capable, a Europe that is clearly, at its core, democratic and that has a long tradition and heritage with the United States, can only be good for the forward march of progress and democracy in the world," Rice said.

    She said the United States wants to see the European project succeed, because a strong Europe will be good for the forces of democracy.

    Rice said a strong Europe has been an important "magnet" for the East Europeans and "it continues to be an important set of incentives for countries that are still in the transition of democracy." Enditem