Never before in the time of George Bush's presidency, has the US and the EU seemed so unanimous on so many issues. Iran, Afghanistan, climate change, global economy - all problems of mutual concern have been covered and seamlessly agreed upon. Energy upgrade for Ukraine have been pledged for, the EU aspirations of Serbia and Turkey endorsed and a strong support for Georgia's initiatives on Abkhazia has also been voiced. One of the few sticking points remains, the poultry - not quite a chickenfeed but a detail in the whole rather idyllic picture. As the clock is counting down his last months and days in the White House, Bush is becoming friendlier than ever to the unity he used to divide into "good new" and "bad old" Europe. And the route he is taking on his farewell trip suggests a change in his mind. In the end, he greatly appreciates the old buddies, who also happen to be the EU's heavyweights, even if he had quarrels with them at times.

But make no mistake, Europe and the US still have a lot to differ about, even if Mr Bush is kind enough to emphasize what unites both sides of the Pond. Take just two examples: according to one of US top commanders, who's just left Afghanistan, the ISAF operation needs around 400,000 troops to secure the country. It currently has less than 60,000 and Europe is asked, urged and sometimes threatened to send more, with modest response so far. The old continent is very concerned about Iran, as it is geographically and ethnically much more exposed to any retaliatory steps, should Iran be attacked either by the US or Israel. The hardliners in both countries maintain a strike is still an option while diplomatic efforts have been given another "last chance" with Europe's Solana at the helm.

But it will not be Mr. Bush, who decides what to do, should this effort fail. The main message Mr. Bush is trying to deliver in Europe is that nobody really knows what Obama will do on the international scene - and in case of his victory, the US would probably need the EU more than ever. And the US's old and tested friends in Europe, who often voiced support for Obama's views, will be needed to consult and control him.

So, the once public enemy number one in much of the core EU, Mr. Bush has now taken on a dovish feather and offered a truce. If the EU catches the opportunity, it may ease the transatlantic tensions and get more influence on the decisions in Washington DC. Obama would not refuse to cooperate - as multilateralism is his agenda - and McCain would probably maintain the course that is widely seen as Bush's mea culpa confession. Europe and the US have a good chance of opening a new chapter of co-operation and global leadership, provided an escalation in Iran, or deterioration in Afghanistan does not prompt any radical moves. Let's have our fingers crossed, it's worth that.

Marek Swierczynski is a journalist with a special interest in defence and security matters and and a member of the Polish Euro-Atlantic Society.