[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[June 12, 2001]
[Pages 647-648]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Jose Maria 
Aznar
June 12, 2001

    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

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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.

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