    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [May 10, 1995]
    [Pages 668-669]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on European Security
    May 10, 1995

        Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin conducted a thorough review of
    progress toward their shared goal of a stable, secure, integrated and
    undivided democratic Europe. They agreed that the end of military
    confrontation, ideological conflict, and division of the Euro-Atlantic
    region into opposing blocs has created an historic opportunity for all
    of its peoples. They emphasized their determination to cooperate closely
    to ensure that in the future, all peoples of the Euro-Atlantic region
    shall enjoy the benefits of a stable, just and peaceful order.
        The Presidents note that the task of strengthening Euro-Atlantic
    security now requires dealing with challenges very different from those
    of the Cold War era. Aggressive nationalism, proliferation of weapons of
    mass destruction, unresolved territorial disputes, and violations in the
    area of human rights present serious threats to stability, peace and
    prosperity. The Presidents agree that the effort to deal with these
    challenges must be based on respect for the principles and commitments
    of the OSCE, particularly concerning democracy, political pluralism,
    respect for human rights and civil liberties, free market economies and
    strict respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-
    determination.
        The Presidents reviewed prospects for Euro-Atlantic structures in
    response to the opportunities and challenges posed by the new era. They
    agreed that the central element of a lasting peace must be the
    integration of all of Europe into a series of mutually supporting
    institutions and relationships which ensure that there will be no return
    to division or confrontation. The evolution of European structures
    should be directed toward the overall goal of integration. President
    Clinton stressed that the process should be transparent, inclusive and
    based on an integral relationship between the security of Europe and
    that of North America.
        The Presidents note the historic task of working closely together
    toward fuller participation of democratic Russia and the United States
    of America in the range of worldwide political, economic, and security
    institutions of the 21st Century. It was in this spirit that the two
    Presidents reviewed steps in the evolution of the Euro-Atlantic security
    system through the further development of relevant organizations and
    bilateral and regional cooperation. This includes the decision of Russia
    to proceed with its individual Partnership Program for the Partnership
    for Peace and with the document on a broad, enhanced Russia-NATO
    dialogue and cooperation.
        President Clinton supported Russia's efforts to develop further its
    partnership and cooperation with the EU. He stressed U.S. support for
    Russia's participation in the WTO, GATT and other institutions important
    to European and global economic and security architecture, as
    appropriate.
        The Presidents agree that the OSCE's commitments in the areas of
    human rights, economics, and security provide a foundation for their
    effort to build a stable and integrated Europe. In this regard, special
    attention should be devoted to strengthening the peacekeeping
    capabilities of the OSCE and to its potential in the sphere of
    preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
        The Presidents recalled the decision of the December 1994 OSCE
    Summit in Budapest to

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    develop a model for ensuring comprehensive security for Europe in the
    21st Century. The United States and Russia believe that such a model
    should aim to build an undivided Europe, a common space of security and
    stability, and a system that ensures the widest cooperation and
    coordination among all countries of the Euro-Atlantic region. In this
    system, all states will have, as stated in Budapest, the inherent right
    of all states freely to choose or change their security arrangements,
    including treaties of alliance, as they evolve.

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