    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1995]
    [Pages 199-201]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on Relations Between the United States of America and
    the Republic of Bulgaria
    February 13, 1995

        At the invitation of President Bill Clinton, President Zhelyu Zhelev
    visited Washington, meeting with President Clinton at the White House on
    February 13.
        President Clinton and President Zhelev stressed the value of the
    close cooperation established over the past five years in maintaining
    regional stability and supporting Bulgaria's democratic and market
    economic transformation. They agreed that relations between the two
    countries rest on the values of democracy and human rights. President
    Clinton noted that the security of Bulgaria and the other Central
    European democracies is inseparably linked to that of the United States
    and praised Bulgaria's balanced and constructive policy in the Balkans.
        Both Presidents noted the importance of continued implementation of
    Bulgaria's market economic reforms. In this context, they noted the need
    for Bulgaria to solidify its efforts at stabilization, to accelerate
    implementation of privatization and to complete the legal and regulatory
    conditions necessary to a market economy. President Clinton offered
    continued U.S. assistance to support Bulgaria's efforts in this
    direction. As part of the planned 1995 $30 million

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    U.S. foreign assistance program in Bulgaria, President Clinton told
    President Zhelev of a new $7 million loan program designed to support
    small and medium-sized private businesses, especially in rural areas.
        Recognizing the significant cost to Bulgaria of enforcing United
    Nations sanctions against Serbia/Montenegro, President Clinton and
    President Zhelev agreed about the continuing importance of sanctions as
    a key tool to resolving peacefully the conflict in the former
    Yugoslavia.
        President Clinton reaffirmed that the United States will remain
    engaged in efforts to improve regional transportation infrastructure in
    the southern Balkans, including Bulgaria. The two Presidents agreed that
    such projects can help mitigate the interruption of trade routes and
    promote regional stability and democracy. President Clinton noted that
    he has asked Congress for $30 million for this regional project.
        The United States and Republic of Bulgaria affirmed their
    determination to enhance regional and European stability through support
    of the OSCE, United Nations and Partnership for Peace.
        Both countries will work to advance Bulgaria's integration into
    international and Euro-Atlantic economic and security institutions.
    President Clinton and President Zhelev affirmed support for the
    Partnership for Peace as the path for all countries of Central Europe
    and other Partners who wish to work toward NATO membership. President
    Clinton stated that under his Warsaw Initiative the United States will
    seek $5 million in security-related assistance for Bulgaria to support
    the purposes of the Partnership for Peace plus additional resources to
    support security cooperation.
        Recognizing the international dimension of many crimes, the two
    Presidents agreed to deepen cooperation between their respective law
    enforcement agencies in the struggle against terrorism and organized
    criminal activities including narco-trafficking, money laundering and
    smuggling of cultural and historical objects.
        The two leaders agreed to encourage and promote trade and investment
    between their countries, based on market principles. The two nations
    intend to work together to create the conditions necessary for such
    market cooperation, taking into account such issues as protection of
    investments and new technologies, adequate and effective protection of
    intellectual property and other elements necessary to a friendly
    investment environment. Agreements concerning trade and investment have
    already been signed, including a Trade Agreement and Bilateral
    Investment Treaty, and the two Presidents placed high priority on the
    conclusion of a Treaty on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. Following
    the announcement of a new Central Europe Initiative by the U.S. Export-
    Import Bank, the Presidents agreed to work to establish a cooperative
    financing arrangement to support Bulgarian exports that also involve
    U.S. goods and services to third country markets. The two Presidents
    agreed that this initiative could help create jobs in both Bulgaria and
    the United States.
        President Clinton recognized the importance of the removal of
    Bulgaria from application of the provisions of Title IV of the U.S.
    Trade Act of 1974 (the Jackson-Vanik Amendment). The U.S. Administration
    has made determinations that Bulgaria is in full compliance with Title
    IV criteria and will consult with the U.S. Congress concerning
    legislation to remove Bulgaria from application of Title IV at an early
    date.
        Both Presidents agreed to support ongoing educational and cultural
    projects such as the American University in Blagoevgrad and to seek to
    conclude and implement a Science and Technical Agreement.
        Through cooperation to advance common political, economic, security
    and humanitarian interests, the United States and the Republic of
    Bulgaria continue to build a strong and enduring relationship.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.

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