[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 6, 1992]
[Pages 703-704]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Declaration With President Leonid Kravchuk of Ukraine

May 6, 1992

Declaration on U.S.-Ukrainian Relations and the Building of a Democratic 
Partnership

    Today's talks mark a historic step in the development of relations 
between our two great nations. For the first time, an American President 
has met with the freely-elected President of a sovereign Ukraine. The 
Ukrainian people are now building their own state, one whose 
independence and commitment to democracy can make a vital contribution 
to the creation of a new Europe truly whole and free. The United States 
places special importance on the consolidation of Ukraine's democracy 
and independence. Toward this end, we are agreed that we must work 
together as friends and partners for the mutual benefit of both our 
peoples, and in the interests of international peace and stability.
    Politically, we will strive to protect and promote the values that 
bind us together in the democratic community of nations, including free 
and fair elections, freedom of emigration, the rule of law, and respect 
for human rights, including the rights of all minorities, regardless of 
their nationalities and beliefs. The United States takes special note of 
Ukraine's commitment to establish its independence in full accordance 
with these principles, and its efforts to build a just and stable 
society where fundamental freedoms of all peoples are guaranteed.
    Economically, we will work to advance the values of economic freedom 
without which democracy and prosperity cannot flourish. Ukraine will 
accelerate efforts to move toward a market economy through appropriate 
macroeconomic stabilization policies and structural/microeconomic 
reforms to promote recovery, market development, and growth. The U.S., 
through its technical assistance programs in areas like defense 
conversion and food distribution, will help Ukraine in these efforts and 
encourage the international community to do likewise. Together, we will 
take steps to promote free trade, investment, and economic cooperation 
between our two countries and peoples, as well as within the world 
economy at large. A critical feature of this cooperation will be a 
special effort by Ukraine to lower barriers to trade and investment in 
order to allow greater access for American firms. Ukraine and the United 
States will establish joint business development committees to achieve 
this objective and build a foundation for expanded commerce. We have 
concluded a trade agreement which will confer Most Favored Nation tariff 
treatment on Ukraine, and an OPIC agreement to make available investment 
insurance for American firms investing in Ukraine. We have also agreed 
to expedite negotiations on bilateral investment and tax treaties that 
will further promote private trade and investment, as well as on 
cooperation in shipping and civil aviation.
    In the area of security, the United States and Ukraine will 
cooperate to promote a democratic peace across Europe. We are agreed 
that international security can no longer be achieved through the 
efforts of individual states to acquire ever increasing amounts of 
weaponry. Rather, security must be based on reduced levels of armaments 
among all nations, and on a multilateral commitment to uphold shared 
principles, especially democracy, the inviolability of borders and 
territorial integrity, and peace-

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ful resolution of disputes. Working together in multilateral 
institutions like CSCE and the North Atlantic Cooperation Council will 
be an important means of promoting these goals and values throughout the 
new Europe. Also important will be the development of a regular 
bilateral dialogue on questions of peace and security that would address 
questions of common interest. We will use bilateral military and defense 
contacts to provide advice and assistance in the development of civil-
military institutions.
    As a matter of special urgency and concern, we also will work 
actively to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and 
associated technologies. In this regard, the United States applauds 
Ukraine's leadership, manifested in its agreement to ratify and 
implement the START and CFE treaties, and its commitment to renounce 
nuclear weapons and join the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear 
weapons state at the earliest possible time. Consistent with these 
commitments, Ukraine reaffirms its decision to complete the removal of 
all tactical nuclear weapons from its territory by July 1, 1992, and all 
remaining nuclear weapons in accordance with her relevant agreements and 
during the seven-year period of time as provided by the START Treaty and 
in the context of the statement of the Verhovna Rada on the nuclear 
status of Ukraine. The United States will assist Ukraine in these 
efforts by utilizing a portion of the $400 million appropriated by the 
U.S. Congress. The U.S. will also allocate part of this $400 million for 
the establishment of an International Science and Technology Center in 
Ukraine. This Center will help former weapons scientists and engineers 
in developing long-term civilian career opportunities that will 
strengthen Ukraine's scientific research and development capacity. In 
addition, the United States will continue its support of Ukrainian and 
international efforts aimed at minimizing the tragic aftermath of the 
Chernobyl catastrophe.
    By agreeing to cooperate to advance these common political, 
economic, and security interests, the United States and independent 
Ukraine have laid the foundation for a strong and special partnership. 
For while relations between our governments may be new, the ties that 
connect our peoples are deep and long standing. We will seek to broaden 
these contacts through expanded people-to-people exchange programs such 
as the Peace Corps agreement we have signed to provide Ukraine with 
assistance in small business development and other areas, such as 
education. Working together and with others who share our principles, we 
will expand this partnership in pursuit of an enduring, democratic peace 
that can fulfill the aspirations of our two nations and the entire 
world.