Azores Summit

The Azores Summit resulted in two statements: ; A vision for Iraq and the Iraqi people: This statement argues for the need to liberate the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein's regime. ;Commitment to transatlantic solidarity: The signatories intended to state their particular points of view regarding the common values on both sides of the Atlantic pertaining to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, and that together they would confront the two threats of the 21st century: terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. ==Consequences==

The Azores Summit is the prelude to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and its subsequent occupation, as well as the prolongation of the Iraq War until 19 August 2010. The military occupation found no weapons of mass destruction The existence of chemical weapons (weapons of mass destruction) in Iraq, the main argument put forward for the declaration of war, was not proven. The invasion of Iraq has also been linked to the solution of the Arab–Israeli conflict, the new geopolitical strategy of the United States, the large economic oil interests in the area, and a real testing ground for the US military industry, which constitutes a very important part of its gross domestic product. Withdrawal of troops and the end of the war On Friday 27 February 2009, US President Barack Obama announced the withdrawal of US troops on Monday 31 August 2010, although 50,000 soldiers would remain until Saturday 31 December 2011. It would not be until 2015 when Tony Blair would admit that it had been a mistake to invade Iraq. ==See also==