The president (right) and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok wave hands before embarking on a three-nation tour to Europe on July 7.

The president embarked on a three-nation tour to Europe Tuesday (July 7) morning.

For eight days he will be visiting Poland, Italy and Sweden.

In the afternoon of July 7 (European time), President Lee will arrive in Warsaw, Poland, and will attend the Korea-Poland Business Forum, look around the Korean Products Show 2009 and then meet with Korean residents living in Poland.

On July 8, President Lee will hold a summit with Polish President Lech Kaczynski to evaluate the 20-year-long diplomatic ties and discuss ways to cooperate in the fields of energy, resources and the defense industry.

Following the summit, President Lee will head to Rome, Italy and will make a courtesy call on Pope Benedict 16th in Vatican City on the afternoon of July 9.

After that, he will travel L''Aquila, also in Italy, to attend the expanded G-8 Summit.

During his stay there, the President is scheduled to take part in various forums on trade, climate change and food security.

On the sidelines of the G-8 gathering President Lee is set to hold bilateral summits with the leaders of Canada, Russia, Australia and Italy.

On July 11, he will arrive in Sweden, where he is scheduled to have a luncheon with King Carl XVI Gustaf the following day.

The President will hold a summit with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on July 13. During this meeting, the two sides are expected to conclude the pending Korea-EU free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

President Lee will return home on July 14.