    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [June 25, 2003]
    [Pages 688-693]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With European Union Leaders
    June 25, 2003

        President Bush. Thank you all for coming. We'll have opening
    statements; each of us will answer one question apiece.
        It's my pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Simitis and President Prodi
    here to the White House. We've had constructive discussions. We had a
    nice lunch.
        Since the end of World War II, the United States has strongly
    supported European unity as the best path to European peace and
    prosperity. We believe as well that strong ties between America and
    Europe are essential to peace and the prosperity of the world.

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        Both the United States and the EU are threatened by global terror,
    and we are determined to defeat it. Today we have signed new agreements
    to increase our legal cooperation in the war on terror and to speed the
    extradition of terrorists. Under these agreements, we will form joint
    investigative teams and share information on suspect bank accounts and
    expand the range of offenses that qualify for extradition.
        Today the United States and the EU have also taken new steps to help
    stop the gravest threat to our security, the proliferation of nuclear,
    biological, and chemical weapons. We have signed--we have agreed to work
    together and with others to strengthen export controls on dangerous
    materials. We also seek new methods, including active interdiction, to
    stop illicit trade in weapons of mass destruction.
        The United States and the EU are working closely to meet the
    proliferation challenges posed by North Korea and Iran. The recent
    report by the International Atomic Energy Agency clearly describes
    Iran's failure to meet its obligations to the world and to provide
    access for agency officials.
        America and the EU agree that Iran must cooperate fully with the
    IAEA. We agree that Iran must sign and comply with an additional
    protocol giving the IAEA new tools to investigate clandestine nuclear
    weapons activities. Iran has pledged not to develop nuclear weapons, and
    the entire international community must hold that regime to its
    commitments.
        The United States and the EU are determined to make the world not
    only safer but also better. We will work together to help the people of
    Iraq build a future of security, prosperity, and freedom. We'll work
    together to confront global poverty, disease, and oppression. And Europe
    and America will stand together for a Middle East so--that will have a
    just and comprehensive peace. We'll work together to achieve the two-
    state solution endorsed by the parties earlier this month at the Red Sea
    Summit.
        Progress toward this goal will only be possible if all sides do all
    in their power to defeat the determined enemies of peace, such as Hamas
    and other terrorist groups. Nearly every hopeful moment in the region,
    nearly every sign of progress toward peace is followed by more murders
    in the guise of martyrdom, as those who oppose peace do all they can to
    destroy the hopes and aspirations of those who desire to live in peace.
    I urge the leaders in Europe and around the world to take swift,
    decisive action against terror groups such as Hamas, to cut off their
    funding and to support--cut funding and support, as the United States
    has done.
        We also had a good discussion today about the vital trade
    relationship that brings growth and job creation to America and to all
    the nations of the EU and to the world. Today we are launching
    negotiations on a comprehensive air services agreement, better known as
    Open Skies, that will benefit our consumers, our airlines, and our
    communities. We've also agreed to accelerate the commercial use of clean
    and abundant hydrogen energy. We're working toward a multilateral
    agreement to ban market-distorting steel subsidies. And we agree on the
    importance of making the upcoming World Trade Organization meeting of
    trade ministers in Cancun a success, so that we can energize the global
    trade negotiations.
        We meet at an important moment, a time when the EU is taking in new
    members and writing a new constitution and a time when both Europe and
    America are facing new challenges in the world's peace and prosperity.
    We are united in common values, and we will seek common solutions to our
    shared challenges.
        We've had a great meeting. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome.
        President Simitis. Thank you, Mr.
    President. We had a very fruitful, very friendly meeting with President
    Bush. This is our

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    first meeting after the crisis in Iraq. I want to stress, because many
    people said that there was a serious period of strain, that the
    transatlantic relationship does work. It produces results, and it is
    important for both of us. It's been of fundamental importance, I would
    say.
        The economic interdependence between Europe and the United States is
    inescapable and is of vital importance--vital importance to jobs and
    economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic and for the global
    economy. Our economic relationship sustains our security and prosperity.
    Cooperation with the United States in the security and defense field is
    unavoidable as it is desirable. A solid and productive transatlantic
    relationship is essential for international order.
        Europe and America share a common attachment to the fundamental
    values of freedom and democracy and the rights of man, though they
    sometimes differ in their appreciation as how to best implement the
    principles.
        As President Bush said, we discussed how to strengthen our
    relationship. We identified issues which we have common objectives,
    shared interests, and where we can both contribute. The Middle East and
    the application of the roadmap remains at the top of the list. We have
    the same interest that there is peace in the Middle East.
    Counterterrorism is certainly a common issue, and that's why we also
    agreed on a declaration on nonproliferation on weapons of mass
    destruction.
        The development issues in Africa and elsewhere are ripe for a more
    detailed dialog. Economic affairs and the justice and home affairs
    agenda are also subjects that can be pursued in the mutual benefit of
    both of us and the wider international community. From the agreements
    and declarations that we agreed today, I want to mention the mutual
    legal assistance and extradition agreement is the first agreement on
    legal cooperation in the fight against crime that the European Union
    signs with a third country.
        The United States and the European Union cannot possibly have and
    share on foreign policy or trade interests in all areas the same
    opinions. There will be issues and times where we will differ. But
    friendship presupposes that we will have to agree to differ, to accept
    to differ. And friendship presupposes that we must be disciplined and
    manage our differences. We should always act on the basis that what
    unites us will always outweigh any issue that divide us.
        I think that meeting today was a very good meeting because it
    allowed us to discuss matters where we differ, trade matters, matters
    where we agree, and matters where we can cooperate in order to have a
    common result--I think, a common result that will be good for not only
    Europe and the United States but for all those that are interested in
    peace, security, and growth.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.
        Romano.
        President Prodi. I have not to add that it
    was a very good meeting, because it was a very good meeting atmosphere.
    We concentrated on concrete decisions because we have not to waste our
    energy in talking about difference, because we shouldn't get nowhere and
    the difference are shrinking. So we are growing together.
        And we have, first of all, launched the talks for the creation of a
    transatlantic open aviation area. This will change the industry of
    transport--aviation transport and will provide better service, lower
    price, and more choice for the 11 million people who cross the Atlantic
    every year and even more in the future.
        Second, and this is a joint--we are starting a major joint research
    effort on hydrogen energy. And this is important for the future and show
    that we can work together even on issue where--that touch there on

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    the border of other issue which we have disagreement, like Kyoto.
        Third, we have decided to have a joint responsibility making the
    Doha development round a success. And without close cooperation between
    Europe and U.S., there will be no success. And we cannot afford to fail
    because a trade war will be heavy, heavy damage. On this aspect, we also
    exchanged our views on the reform of the--big, big, big reform of the
    common agricultural product that Europe is trying to do, and that are
    discussed in this hour when we are here, you know? And I hope that we
    can arrive to Doha with really a new picture of our agriculture.
        And you know, therefore, I fully agree with the President when he
    recently declared it important that when Europe and the U.S. are united,
    no problem and no enemy can stand against us. This is the real lesson. I
    would only add that if we fail to unite, every problem may become a
    crisis and every enemy a gigantic monster.
        I say to end this with this brief analogy: Many people have said
    that Europe is too old. Maybe, but the old age helps us to understand
    our strength and our weakness and the reality of the world. And so, I
    say that we--if we stay alone, President, Europe is too old and the
    United States too young--[laughter]--to be able to bring peace in this
    world. And it is our duty to stick together to bring peace to the world.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Well, thank you, Romano.
    You're looking pretty young these days. [Laughter]
        President Prodi. I am not. [Laughter]
        President Bush. Here's what we'll do. We'll call upon--each of us
    will call upon a member of the press. We ask you to limit your questions
    to one question, to one person.
        Dana Bash, CNN.

    Hamas

        Q. Mr. President, thank you. There are reports that there is a
    cease-fire agreement among Hamas and a few other Palestinian
    organizations, that they've promised to stop the violence for at least 3
    months. What do you know about that? And what--if true, what do you
    expect to happen next from both sides, both Israelis and Palestinians?
        President Bush. As I was walking in, somebody told me about the
    report. I'll believe it when I see it, knowing the history of the
    terrorists in the Middle East. But the true test for Hamas and terrorist
    organizations is the complete dismantlement of their terrorist networks,
    their capacity to blow up the peace process. That's the true test. It's
    one thing to make a verbal agreement. But in order for there to be peace
    in the Middle East, we must see organizations such as Hamas dismantled,
    and then we'll have peace. Then we'll have a chance for peace.
        I like to remind people that there are three parties involved
    directly in the territories there. There's the Israeli Government. I
    believe the Israeli people want peace, and I believe their Government
    when they say they want a peaceful state, living side-by-side Israel.
    Secondly, there are the people of the Palestinian world who are tired of
    failed leadership, tired of terrorism destroying their hopes, tired of
    living in poverty, and they too want a peaceful state. And then there
    are the terrorists, like Hamas, who do not want a peaceful state, and
    they're willing to use terrorist means to destroy it. In order for there
    to be peace, Hamas must be dismantled.

    European Union Defense and Security Policy

        President Simitis. [Inaudible]
        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, in the last few weeks and months, we heard
    from both sides of the Atlantic some opinions, some politicians
    expressing concern about the European community policy on defense

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    and security. Did you--they say, for example, that it is going to
    undermine the NATO, generally speaking, that it's going to be a kind of
    threat to the United States, be worse in other things. Did you discuss
    this kind of thing today, and may I have your opinion of this? And I
    would really like to hear the President's opinion.
        President Bush. You're trying to violate the one-question-per-person
    rule. [Laughter] It's okay. Nice try, though.
        President Simitis. We discussed
    with President Bush--this is not a subject of discussion. I explained
    what we are doing in the European Union, why this is necessary, and, I
    think, why it's in the interest of both of us. Europe should be capable
    to deal with security problems at its borders or elsewhere in the world.
    And we have a very good example now: There is a European force in FYROM,
    and this European force took the place of a NATO force. And we discussed
    about having a European force also in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and--instead
    of a NATO force. This will be also positive for the Balkans.
        I think it's a big mistake to believe that the development of a
    European and security policy takes place in adversity with the United
    States. I think that both the United States and us have an interest to
    have a strong defense, because a strong defense in our case will help
    the United States and a strong defense of the United States helps us
    also. And a good example again I'll bring is Afghanistan. We discussed
    about Afghanistan. As you know, there is--there are German soldiers in
    Afghanistan. There are United States soldiers in Afghanistan. We have a
    common policy in order to have more peace and security in Afghanistan.
        And also the question that this security policy is a threat to
    anybody, I think it's ridiculous because we have a very clear policy in
    these questions. If there is a confrontation, then international law
    must be applied. And the United Nations Security Council has to decide
    on differences. As for example, Greece has always said, concerning the
    problem of the continental shelf, it's a--with Turkey, that the
    international court of justice has to decide.
        So the European development in concern with defense cannot be a
    threat to anyone. It's, I would say, a decisive step for peace.
        President Bush. Romano.

    Iran's Clandestine Nuclear Weapons Activities

        Q. Mr. Prodi, when you discussed Iran with President Bush, did you
    raise the question of what would happen if Iran does not comply to sign
    up to enhanced inspections?
        President Prodi. We discussed deeply about
    Iran, but I didn't ask him what he would do, you know. I tell my
    opinion. [Laughter]
        President Bush. Iran must comply. It's--the free world expects Iran
    to comply. Just leave it at that. They can----
        Q. And if it doesn't?
        President Bush. We expect them to. See, you're assuming they won't.
    We believe they will when the free world comes together.
        President Prodi. I tell you that the dialog
    is----
        President Bush. And if they don't, we'll deal with that when they
    don't.
        President Prodi. The dialog with Iran is
    going on daily and deeply. And we push that they accept all the
    inspections, even the non--let's say, planned inspections because we
    have to be sure that doesn't constitute a danger to future peace. We
    have to be absolutely sure.
        President Bush. Yes. If the world speaks together, they'll comply.
        Thank you all very much for coming. We enjoyed it.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 1:20 p.m. in the East
    Room at the White House. The President met with Prime Minister
    Konstandinos Simitis of Greece, in his capacity as President of the
    European

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    Council, and President Romano Prodi of the European Commission. In his
    remarks, President Prodi referred to the Kyoto Protocol to the United
    Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.