    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 28, 2002]
    [Pages 907-908]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Opening Session of the NATO-Russia Council Meeting in
    Rome
    May 28, 2002

        Secretary General, thank you for your
    leadership. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you
    for your grand hospitality. You've been a great host. And I want to
    welcome our friend President Vladimir Putin
    to this table, and all my NATO colleagues.
        Today marks an historic achievement for a great alliance and a great
    European nation. Two former foes are now joined as partners, overcoming
    50 years of division and a decade of uncertainty. And this partnership
    takes us closer to an even larger goal, a Europe that is whole, free,
    and at peace for the first time in history.
        NATO was born over a half a century ago as an alliance committed to
    defending democracy and advancing freedom. Today we renew our commitment
    to these important goals. And as we reach out to a new Russia that is
    building freedom in its own land and is already joining us in defending
    freedom against a common enemy, we do so in the spirit of peace and
    friendship.
        The attacks of September the 11th made clear that the new dangers of
    our age threaten all nations, including Russia. The months since have
    made clear that by working together against these threats, we multiply
    our effectiveness.
        The NATO-Russia Council gives us the opportunity to move forward
    together on common challenges and to begin building ties that can be
    expanded far into the future. We will start with areas where our ability
    to help one another as equal partners is unmistakable, areas such as
    countering terrorism, preventing the spread of weapons of mass
    destruction, emergency planning, and search and rescue operations at
    sea.
        We will improve our coordination in places where we are already
    working together, such as the Balkans. NATO, Russia, and our other
    partners can take great pride in the greater peace and stability we have
    brought to that region.
        We will also look ahead to other areas where we can expand our
    cooperation, such as missile defense and airspace control that can
    strengthen the security of all of Europe.
        Nothing we do will subtract from NATO's core mission. We will be
    practical, moving forward step by step. And as our trust and track
    record of success grows, so will the breadth and depth of our work
    together.
        The NATO-Russia Council offers Russia a path toward forming an
    alliance with the Alliance. It offers all our nations a way to
    strengthen our common security, and it

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    offers the world a prospect of a more hopeful century.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:03 a.m. in the main conference room at
    Pratica di Mare Air Force Base. In his remarks, he referred to NATO
    Secretary General Lord Robertson; Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of
    Italy; and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.