Discusses NATO, missile defense, trade, terrorism
In a joint statement issued June 12, President Bush and Spanish
President Jose Maria Aznar reaffirmed "the close friendship between
the United States and Spain, rooted in common history, common values
and common interests in Europe, the Mediterranean, Latin America, and
beyond."
The two leaders committed to enhanced bilateral relations in pursuit
of "a Europe whole, free and at peace." They reaffirmed NATO's status
as the fundamental foundation for trans-Atlantic security, as well as
their commitment to a multilateral trading system. They agreed to help
find a lasting peace in Southeast Europe and the Middle East and to
promote human rights and democracy in Latin America, vowing to combat
terrorism "wherever it is encountered."
They approved the need for a "comprehensive security strategy that
encompasses both offensive and defensive deterrent systems, continues
nuclear arms reductions, and strengthens WMD and missile proliferation
controls and counter-proliferation measures."
They also resolved to help developing countries to benefit from
international trade and technological development and to address
conflict and AIDS in Africa.
Following is the White House text:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
(Madrid, Spain)
June 12, 2001
Joint Statement By President George W. Bush And President Jose Maria Aznar
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, the Mediterranean, Latin
America, 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 as a whole 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 build 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 WMD and missile
proliferation controls and counter-proliferation measures.
We renew our Joint Declaration commitment to combat terrorism wherever
it is encountered; 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
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 addressing conflict
and infectious disease -- especially HIV/AIDS -- and to promoting
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.
