[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[February 23, 2001]
[Pages 130-131]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 130]]


Joint Statement With Prime Minister Tony Blair of 
the United Kingdom
February 23, 2001

    President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair reaffirm the 
uniquely close relationship that exists between the United States and 
the United Kingdom: a relationship rooted in common history, common 
values and common interests around the globe. We commit ourselves to the 
shared goals of a stronger Transatlantic alliance and to helping build a 
Europe whole, free and secure.
    We affirm that NATO will remain the essential foundation of 
Transatlantic security. In this new century, 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.
    We support efforts of NATO's European Members and other European 
nations to assume greater responsibility for crisis management in Europe 
by strengthening NATO's capabilities and developing the ability to 
manage efforts where NATO as a whole chooses not to engage. In this 
regard, 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. The United Kingdom is committed 
to taking ESDP forward on the basis agreed by the EU at the recent Nice 
summit. This involves:
    - Working with other EU members to establish and provide resources 
for an ESDP that improves Europe's capabilities and enables the EU to 
act where NATO as a whole is not engaged;
    - Developing EU capabilities in a manner that is fully coordinated, 
compatible and transparent with NATO;
    - Providing for the fullest possible participation of non-EU 
European Allies in the consideration of execution of EU-led operations, 
reflecting their shared interests and security commitments as NATO 
members.
    The United States supports these efforts and welcomes the progress 
made toward our shared goals.
    We reaffirm our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the 
Balkans. We declare our intent to work together and with our partners in 
the European Union and beyond to consolidate the peace so recently won. 
Our common vision is of a region, fully embedded in Europe, where 
commerce supplants conflict, where borders are venues for cooperation 
and not reasons for conflagration, and where the rule of law prevails 
and war criminals are brought to justice. Our two countries are 
committed to NATO-led military operations in the region and agree to 
work with allies and partners to build a region where the democratic 
leaders themselves take on the responsibility for implementing the 
peace, enabling the progressive drawdown of international military 
forces and in due course of the international civilian organizations.
    We recognize the existence of a common threat stemming from the 
growing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and 
increasingly sophisticated missiles for their delivery. We are already 
working together in this area, and agree on the need for further 
substantive bilateral consultations, as well as close consultations with 
other allies. This consultation process, which will involve contacts 
with other interested parties, will include a review of our common 
strategic assumptions so that they reflect the contemporary security 
setting, and especially the growing threat from

[[Page 131]]

WMD-armed adversaries in regions of vital interest. We need to obstruct 
and deter these new threats with a strategy that encompasses both 
offensive and defensive systems, continues nuclear arms reductions where 
possible, and strengthens WMD and missile proliferation controls and 
counter-proliferation measures.
    We reaffirm our determination to oppose the development or use of 
WMD and ballistic missiles by Saddam Hussein and the threat his regime 
poses to its neighbors, while seeking to protect the Iraqi people from 
the brutality of Saddam Hussein and his indifference to their 
humanitarian needs. We call on Iraq to comply with relevant UN Security 
Council Resolutions.
    In the wake of the verdict issued by the Scottish High Court at Camp 
Zeist on January 31, we reiterate our condolences to the families of the 
victims of Pan Am flight 103, and call on the Libyan government to 
comply with the requirements of relevant UN Security Council 
resolutions.
    The President pledges the continuing support of the United States 
for the Northern Ireland peace process. The Prime Minister welcomes that 
support.
    We are both committed to taking advantage of the new possibilities 
for democratic development and free markets in Africa in order to 
address the problems of insecurity and poverty on the continent. We 
support the idea of a new partnership with Africa to address, in a 
systematic way, 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.
    We recognize the depth of our nations' economic connection and the 
United Kingdom acknowledges the importance to European economies of 
measures designed to sustain economic growth in the United States. We 
commit to work together and with other European states to deepen 
Transatlantic economic relations and to seek solutions to trade 
disputes. To maintain support for the WTO, we recognize that it is 
important that we work for solutions to trade disputes which are in 
accordance with its rulings. 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 
reaffirm our commitment to increased cooperation in the sphere of 
Transatlantic defense trade and the removal of unnecessary governmental 
barriers and impediments to such trade.

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