Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President José María Aznar
Madrid, June 12, 2001
President Bush and President Aznar reaffirm the close
friendship between the United States and Spain, rooted in common history, common
values and common interests in Europe, Latin America, the Mediterranean and
beyond. Building upon our Joint Declaration of January 11, 2001, we commit
ourselves to the shared goals of enhanced bilateral relations, a stronger
Transatlantic alliance, and a Europe whole, free and at peace.
We commit to work together and with other European states to
deepen Transatlantic economic relations and to seek out solutions when we
disagree. We reaffirm our commitment to the multilateral trading system and
strongly support the launch of a new Round of global trade negotiations this
year. It is our goal to open markets, both regionally and globally. We agree to
intensify our efforts to liberalize fully our bilateral civil aviation
relationship. We support the integration and ongoing transformation of Europe's
new democracies and support their aspirations to join Europe's major
institutions.
We affirm that NATO will remain the essential foundation of
Transatlantic security. We are resolved to further develop our cooperation
bilaterally and within the Atlantic Alliance and continue to make essential
contributions to the Alliance. NATO will continue to adapt itself to meet new
missions and challenges by strengthening its capabilities; seeking to reinforce
cooperation with Russia, Ukraine and other members of the Partnership for Peace;
and continuing to admit to its ranks European democracies prepared to assume the
responsibilities of membership. Just as Spain's entry into NATO in 1982 marked a
milestone in its return to the Transatlantic community, so NATO's continuing
enlargement will allow new Allies to join with and make contributions to an
undivided Europe and Euro-Atlantic area. We will work together to advance NATO's
enlargement at NATO's Prague Summit in November, 2002.
We support efforts of NATO's European Members and other
European nations to assume greater responsibility for crisis management in
Europe by committing new resources to strengthen their and NATO's capabilities
and developing the ability to manage efforts where NATO as a whole chooses not
to engage. The United States welcomes the European Union's European Security and
Defense Policy (ESDP), intended to make Europe a stronger, more capable partner
in deterring and managing crises affecting the security of the Transatlantic
community. We believe it is essential that the EU develop capabilities that
enable it to act when NATO is not engaged, in a manner that is fully
coordinated, compatible and transparent with NATO, and to provide for the
fullest possible participation of non-EU European Allies. We also agree that the
Alliance will be able to meet the 21st century's new challenges most effectively
by strengthening cooperation in Transatlantic defense trade and the removal of
unnecessary governmental barriers and impediments to such trade.
We reaffirm our commitment to work with European Union and
other partners to consolidate the peace and building lasting stability in
Southeast Europe based on democratic governance, the rule of law, and increasing
integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. We condemn extremists, such as
those in Macedonia, who subvert the democratic process through the use of
violence. our two countries are committed to NATO-led operations in Bosnia and
Kosovo, and will work with our allies to transfer responsibilities for public
security from combat forces to specialized units and international police, and
ultimately to local authorities.
We face a growing threat from the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction (WMD) and missiles for their delivery. We are engaged in a
consultation process with all interested parties about this new threat. We agree
on the need for a comprehensive security strategy that encompasses both
offensive and defensive deterrent systems, continues nuclear arms reductions,
and strengthens WIVID and missile proliferation controls and
counter-proliferation measures.
We renew our Joint Declaration commitment to combat terrorism
wherever it is encountered and to cooperate closely in regions of the world
where Spain and the United States share strong common interests, notably, to
promote democracy and human rights in Latin America. We will continue our
efforts in support of the peace process in Colombia. In this context, the July
2000 Madrid Conference on Colombia is an example of the transatlantic
cooperation that we seek to foster in the region. We will also cooperate to
bring an end to the violence and find a lasting solution to the conflict in the
Middle East.
We will help the poorest countries benefit from the
international trading system and technological development, to support access to
information, develop economic opportunities and foster democratic societies
across the globe. Technological development will also help overcome hunger,
poverty, and disease in the developing world. With our African partners, we will
jointly commit to address conflict and disease -especially HIV/AIDS- and to
promote economic growth and good governance. It is in all of our interests to
create a more stable and peaceful world and to make available the benefits of
globalization to all peoples.
In order to pursue our consultations, we look forward to
meeting in the United States before the end of the year, in advance of Spain's
assuming the Presidency of the European Union in the first semester of 2002.
back to top ^
|
