    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [June 21, 2006]
    [Pages 1187-1195]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement: United States-European Union Summit Declaration
    June 21, 2006

        We, the leaders of the United States of America and the European
    Union (EU), met today in Vienna to respond to the concerns of our
    citizens for peace, security, stability and prosperity in an
    increasingly globalize world.
        We welcome that over the past year our Transatlantic Partnership has
    delivered real results as shown by the political and economic Progress
    Reports we issued today. We remain committed to finding common or
    complementary lines of action in many areas. Over the last year, there
    have been many examples of how productive our relationship is in the
    Middle East, Iran, the Western Balkans, Belarus, on the frozen
    conflicts, and Sudan, as well as in our efforts to promote transatlantic
    trade and investment under last Summit's Economic Initiative.
        We have decided to further strengthen our strategic Partnership by
    adopting a number of priority actions to support our cooperation in the
    following four areas:
         Promoting peace, human rights and democracy worldwide;
         Confronting global challenges, including security;
         Fostering prosperity and opportunity;
         Promoting strategic cooperation on energy and energy
                security, climate change and sustainable development.

    Promoting Peace, Human Rights and Democracy Worldwide

        We recognize that the advance of democracy is a strategic priority
    of our age. We will intensify our efforts to promote peace, democracy,
    freedom, the rule of law and respect for human rights in the world to
    make it more secure, safe, and prosperous for all mankind. Noting the
    need for tolerance of diverse cultures, beliefs and religions and the
    importance of dialogue while emphasizing respect for universal human
    rights, we will sustain our efforts to advance democracy.
        We will work with the United Nations and international and regional
    organizations, civil society, NGOs and dedicated individuals committed
    to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. We will work to ensure
    that the newly created Human Rights Council becomes an effective and
    efficient body committed to the promotion and protection of human rights
    and fundamental freedoms for all. We underline our shared commitment to
    UN-Reform and we welcome the establishment of and give our backing to
    the Peacebuilding Commission and the UN Democracy Fund. We will continue
    to support reform in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East and
    will promote greater participation of civil society in the reform
    process through our respective efforts, including the Barcelona Process,
    the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Middle East Partnership
    Initiative, and our joint actions through the Broader Middle East and
    North Africa Initiative and the Foundation and Fund for the Future.
        We will continue to closely cooperate in the Middle East, notably
    through the Quartet. We welcome the temporary international mechanism to
    deliver assistance directly to the Palestinian people. We will continue
    to deliver humanitarian assistance and promote Palestinian democracy and

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    civil society. Whilst recalling President Abbas' commitment to a
    platform of peace, we will continue to urge the new Palestinian
    government to commit to non-violence, recognize Israel's right to exist
    and accept existing agreements and obligations. We will continue to call
    on Israel to ease restrictions on access and movement and to take
    additional steps including with respect to the Palestinian tax and
    customs revenues, to improve the humanitarian situation of the
    Palestinian people. We remind both sides of their obligations under the
    15 November 2005 Agreement. We will continue to promote a negotiated
    solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of the Roadmap
    in order to advance a just, viable and lasting two-state solution and we
    call on both parties to avoid unilateral measures that prejudice final
    status issues. We call on the Palestinian Authority government to
    implement policies that will permit the international community to
    provide greater support to and review its policies on contact with the
    Palestinian Authority.
        We will strongly urge Syria to implement UNSC Resolutions 1559,
    1595, 1636, 1680 and 1686 and to prevent its territory from being used
    to support violence in Iraq, and end cross-border transit and support
    for terrorist groups. Similarly, Syria must end its support for Lebanese
    and non-Lebanese militias, and prevent the smuggling of arms and other
    support to these groups. We will work together to increase support for
    human rights and democracy, and secure the release of political
    prisoners in Syria. We will strongly urge Syria to refrain from any
    attempt at destabilizing Lebanon.
        We will jointly support political, economic and institutional
    reforms in Lebanon, as well as its sovereignty, democracy, territorial
    integrity, unity and political independence. We will strengthen efforts
    to coordinate assistance to Lebanon, and we support the reform plan of
    the Lebanese government and seek to work towards an international Core
    Group conference. We support the efforts of the Lebanese government to
    disarm and disband Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, as called for in
    UNSCR 1559 and 1680, and we will support the call expressed by the UN
    Security Council to halt the flow of arms and funds to terrorist groups
    and militias. We support UNSCR 1686 and the continuation of the
    investigation of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister
    Rafiq Hariri.
        We support progress by the Government of Egypt towards ensuring
    fundamental freedoms, and building multi-party democracy. We will
    continue to encourage the Egyptian government to proceed with the
    fundamental political and constitutional reforms it announced
    particularly by replacing the emergency law with a counterterrorism law
    in conformity with international human rights standards.
        We will support the newly constitutionally elected government of
    Iraq and call upon it to continue the policies of inclusiveness as a
    means to overcome divisions within Iraq. We will continue to assist in
    building an independent, stable, secure, democratic, prosperous and
    united Iraq at peace with its neighbors and the international community.
    We call on the international community to show its support for the new
    government in particular by increasing development, rule of law, and
    security assistance, offering capacity building support, providing
    generous debt relief on terms equivalent to the Paris Club Agreement and
    extending its local presence keeping in mind the security situation.
        Over the past year our cooperation on Iran has reached a new level.
    We have worked closely together at every stage of the ongoing attempts
    to address the question of Iran's nuclear program. We have agreed on a
    set of far-reaching proposals as a basis for discussion with Iran. We
    believe that they offer Iran the chance to reach a negotiated agreement
    based on cooperation, if Iran is willing to make that choice. The United
    States has made clear that it is prepared to join the negotiations

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    should Iran resume full and verifiable suspension of all enrichment
    related and reprocessing activities as required by the IAEA. We have
    agreed that if Iran decides not to engage in negotiations, further steps
    would be taken in the Security Council. We urge Iran to take the
    positive path.
        Building on the success of the London January 2006 conference on
    Afghanistan, we will support Afghan efforts to build a democratic,
    accountable and sustainable state. We will pay particular importance to
    governance, human rights, reform of the public administration, the
    judiciary and security sector, counter-narcotics as well as an Afghan-
    led process of reconciliation and justice.
        Recognizing the next year to be a crucial period for the Western
    Balkans we will build on the experience of our successful transatlantic
    cooperation by cooperating to stabilize the countries in the region,
    support their European and Euro-Atlantic perspectives and to combat
    organized crime and corruption. We will continue to work with NATO as
    well as the OSCE to ensure the security and prosperity of the region. On
    Kosovo in particular, we will continue to ensure the convergence of our
    positions on the ongoing talks in order to promote a lasting status that
    respects the Contact Group principles. We will develop our relations
    with Montenegro as a sovereign, independent State and call on both
    Serbia and Montenegro to pursue a direct and constructive dialogue on
    their future relations.
        Ukraine has made remarkable progress in democratic and economic
    reforms. Building on the March 2006 elections, we will support Ukraine's
    development as a democratic, prosperous and secure country. We will help
    Ukraine pursue economic reforms, combat corruption and reform the energy
    sector.
        We will continue to support the democratic aspirations of the people
    of Belarus and work together to strengthen democratic institutions,
    assist civil society, and promote independent media. We condemn the use
    of violence in Belarus and the repression of the democratic opposition
    and we urge the authorities of Belarus to release all political
    detainees. The travel ban imposed on President Lukashenko and others, as
    well as the freezing of assets of individuals responsible for violations
    of international election standards and human rights abuses are good
    examples of our broad cooperation and coordination. We remain resolved
    to help the people of Belarus achieve their aspirations for a better
    future.
        We will contribute to finding a solution to the Transnistrian
    conflict that assures Moldova's territorial integrity. We will work with
    all relevant parties to resolve through peaceful, negotiated settlements
    the frozen conflicts in the Southern Caucasus and encourage the
    democratic processes in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
        We will work together to promote democratic and economic reforms,
    human rights, freedom of expression and the press, the rule of law in
    Central Asia to promote international security and stability. We
    continue to call upon Uzbekistan government to facilitate an independent
    international investigation into the tragic events of Andijon.
        We attach great importance to our relationship with Russia and are
    pursuing deeper cooperation on a range of issues of common interest,
    including some important foreign policy issues, non-proliferation and
    counterterrorism. We are concerned about some recent developments in
    Russia and the region and will work with Russia to promote energy
    security, the application of the rule of law, an independent judiciary
    and full respect for human rights, including free and independent media
    and a vibrant civil society, and a resolution of frozen conflicts in the
    region. We will make constructive use of the OSCE as an important forum
    for cooperative and comprehensive security and call on Russia to fulfill
    all Istanbul and OSCE commitments.

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        Regarding our respective relations with Latin America and the
    Caribbean, we recognize the need for greater collaboration to promote
    stable and effective democracies, as well as market economies that
    contribute to greater social cohesion. We will actively engage NGOs and
    civil society, and we will support access to information, establishment
    of rule of law and independent media where this is not provided. Where
    necessary, we call on countries in the region to provide coherent and
    effective support and protection to individuals, organizations or
    institutions working for the promotion and protection of human rights
    and democracy. We express our deep concern about the human rights
    situation in Cuba, and urge the Cuban government to take rapid steps to
    improve the situation. We welcome the reestablishment of the
    constitutional order in Haiti, support the renewal of the UN
    Stabilization Mission's mandate, and welcome police and troop
    contributions to the mission.
        We will jointly work towards rapid implementation of the Darfur
    Peace Agreement. We will work with the United Nations and other
    international and regional partners and organizations, including NATO,
    to strengthen the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) with the
    assistance required, and UN authorization to ``bluehat'' the AMIS force
    by September. We will continue to support the Comprehensive Peace
    Agreement in Sudan and will continue to mobilize resources for
    humanitarian needs.
        We will seek to ensure successful elections on 30 July 2006 in the
    Democratic Republic of Congo, and will continue our support for the
    building of government institutions, training programs, and security
    sector reform. In the post-transition the United States and the EU will
    prioritize support for improved governance, the rule of law and security
    sector reform.
        In Somalia, we reiterate our support to the efforts of the
    Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) in pursuing dialogue,
    reconciliation and stable governance. We will assist the transition and
    the establishment of viable and inclusive institutions in order to
    promote stability in Somalia and the region.
        We will further coordinate our respective efforts on humanitarian
    and democracy assistance to address the worsening plight of the
    population in Zimbabwe. We call on the Government of Zimbabwe to restore
    democratic freedoms and the rule of law, and to respect human rights. We
    are ready, as soon as significant action in this direction is taken, to
    reconsider the restrictive measures now in place against Zimbabwe. We
    also call for measures by the Government of Zimbabwe needed to reverse
    the economic collapse.
        We will enhance our joint efforts in conflict prevention and crisis
    management by increasing consultations on current and potential crises,
    identifying ways to strengthen cooperation in crisis management and
    post-conflict reconstruction, and coordinating efforts to improve
    international crisis management capacities.

    Confronting Global Challenges, including Security

        Since no single nation can efficiently and effectively deal with
    global challenges such as climate change, counter-terrorism, non-
    proliferation, pandemics and natural disasters on its own, we commit
    ourselves to strengthening our cooperation to address these challenges.
        Consistent with our common values, we will ensure that measures
    taken to combat terrorism comply fully with our international
    obligations, including human rights law, refugee law and international
    humanitarian law. We attach great importance to our ongoing in-depth
    dialogue on our common fight against terrorism and our respective
    domestic and international legal obligations.
        We will step up our cooperation against terrorism, including through
    denying resources (financing, travel, and other material support) and
    shelter to terrorists, and

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    we will co-ordinate efforts to prevent a new generation of recruits from
    emerging by countering radicalization and recruitment, and promoting
    tolerance, including by cooperating on developing regional strategies
    and by implementing--and encouraging others to implement--steps required
    by UNSCR 1624. In particular, we will work to enhance our border
    security cooperation by improving lost and stolen passport data sharing
    with Interpol, coordinating the implementation of biometric standards
    based on ICAO recommendations. We will cooperate to block terrorism
    financing, in particular in the informal financial sector, by developing
    improved procedures for information sharing and a more pro-active use of
    financial investigations implementing FATF Special Recommendations,
    among others by enforcing cash declaration regulations for travelers,
    optimizing the use of financial intelligence and controls, and engaging
    the private sector to develop partnerships to enhance protection of
    financial institutions.
        We will strengthen our cooperation by completing negotiations on a
    U.S.-Eurojust cooperative agreement and we will step up our coordination
    to improve counterterrorism capacity building in third countries. We
    welcome the signature of bilateral agreements by EU member states and
    the United States to accompany the U.S.-EU Mutual Legal Assistance
    Treaty and Extradition Agreements, and will aim to bring them into force
    as soon as possible. We intend to agree without delay on a Comprehensive
    UN Convention on International Terrorism, and on a universally accepted
    definition of terrorism and we will work with others towards a targeted
    UN strategy on combating terrorism. We take note of the ``Vienna
    Initiative'', initialed on 4th May, on possible future tripartite
    cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs between the EU, the
    Russian Federation and the United States.
        We will strengthen our efforts to prevent access by terrorists to
    weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. We will
    work together to further implement our Program of Work on the Non-
    Proliferation of WMD, in particular by reinforcing our support for the
    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and we will continue to work together
    to strengthen it, stressing the importance of compliance and promoting
    its universality.
        Our cooperation will include the full implementation of UNSC
    Resolution 1540, including by conducting joint demarches, where
    appropriate, to urge all countries to fully implement their obligations
    under UNSCR 1540, and by assisting States to meet their obligations. In
    implementing UNSC Resolution 1540, we will also address the issue of
    financing of proliferation-related activities and develop our
    cooperation in that regard by seeking to identify, track, seize or
    freeze assets associated with the proliferation trade, in accordance
    with national legislation and consistent with international law, and
    consider further actions against proliferation finance.
        We will support the rapid opening and conclusion of negotiations on
    a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament and
    emphasize that, pending the conclusion of the Treaty and the Treaty's
    entry into force, all states should declare publicly and observe a
    moratorium on the production of fissile material for use in nuclear
    weapons. We will continue to work together in the Nuclear Suppliers
    Group framework on proposals to develop transfer restrictions on
    enrichment and reprocessing (ENR) technology and to support multilateral
    mechanisms for reliable fuel supply assurances for States that have
    chosen not to pursue ENR.
        We will coordinate efforts in preparing for the Biological Toxins
    and Weapons Convention Review Conference with a view to promote a
    productive outcome, the universality of the convention and the
    implementation by all States Parties through national laws and
    regulations in order to put these obligations into practice. We reaffirm

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    our commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and its full
    implementation.
        We reiterate our support for multilateral efforts to improve
    prevention and combat global health threats such as the spread of
    pandemics, including HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, and other
    communicable diseases like SARS and Hepatitis. We agree that priority
    should be given to promoting effective control measures in animal health
    as a means to reduce outbreaks of H5N1 in birds. We will further
    increase regional and global cooperation between states, international
    organizations and civil society in mitigating and preparing for a
    pandemic, to which input by the International Partnership on Avian and
    Pandemic Influenza is welcome. We will further improve coordination of
    our response to natural disasters that have cost the lives of hundreds
    of thousands of people.

    Fostering Prosperity and Opportunity

        We reiterate our strong commitment to reaching an ambitious
    conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda by the end of 2006. These
    negotiations are at a critical phase and we call on all WTO members to
    demonstrate the political will and courage necessary to achieve an
    ambitious and balanced agreement that will help strengthen global
    economic growth, improve living standards, and alleviate poverty. We
    recognize the need for trade ministers to make substantial progress on
    core negotiating areas over the next few weeks in order to ensure that
    this historic opportunity to liberalize trade is not missed. As
    responsible leaders, we will continue to work in cooperation with other
    WTO members towards an agreement that is worthy of the objectives
    identified in launching the Doha Development Agenda in 2001.
        We will increase our partnership with developing countries to
    promote growth globally for the benefit of all. This will help us to
    realize the internationally agreed development goals and objectives,
    including the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives and
    commitments of the Monterrey Consensus, which have helped to galvanize
    efforts towards poverty eradication through development co-operation and
    economic growth.
        We will redouble our efforts to promote economic growth and
    innovation and reduce the barriers to transatlantic trade and investment
    by implementing all aspects of the Transatlantic Economic Initiative, in
    line with the Work Program agreed at the U.S.-EU Economic Ministerial
    Meeting in November 2005, and to be updated and reviewed at a second
    U.S.-EU Economic Ministerial meeting later this year.
        We endorse the new Action Strategy for the enforcement of
    intellectual property rights against piracy and counterfeiting.
    Implementation has already started with concrete actions aimed at
    promoting strong and effective enforcement in third countries,
    strengthening cooperation to reduce global piracy and counterfeiting,
    and offering public-private partnerships to protect intellectual
    property. We will enhance our dialogue to promote a more efficient
    international patent system.
        We will build on the progress of the High Level Regulatory
    Cooperation Forum and associated dialogues, and expand implementation of
    our Regulatory Cooperation Roadmap to address new topics and sectors and
    initiate targeted exchanges of regulatory experts. As part of our
    Innovation Initiative, we will work to measure innovation performance,
    its impact on the economy, and to understand better each other's
    innovation policies. We will implement the U.S.-EU plan on e-
    accessibility with the goal of reaching a coherent approach on our
    policies in this area. We will work on an implementing arrangement on
    environment research and eco-informatics under our Agreement on
    Scientific and Technological Cooperation. We will continue to work
    together through the U.S.-EU Financial Markets Regulatory Dialogue and
    the Policy Dialogue on Border and Transportation Security.

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        We pledge to keep our investment regimes open and to build on
    existing investment flows to boost growth and create jobs in the
    transatlantic economy. We will address obstacles to transatlantic
    investment with a view to promoting closer economic integration.
        We will redouble our efforts to conclude a first stage Air Transport
    Agreement in 2006. The United States and the EU will cooperate closely
    on the legal framework governing the transfer of air passenger data
    following the European Court of Justice ruling of 30 May 2006.
        We will work together to ensure implementation of phase I of the
    Wine Agreement, and, as mutually agreed, pursue negotiations on phase II
    in September.
        We have signed today a new Agreement on Higher Education and
    Vocational Training under which our respective educational institutions
    will inaugurate innovative joint study programs, promote exchanges of
    students, teachers, and other professionals, strengthen the Fulbright-
    Schuman Program and encourage greater institutional collaboration in
    tertiary education.
        We recognize the need for tangible progress to be made towards the
    establishment of reciprocal visa-free travel for all EU citizens to the
    United States, as part of our efforts to promote the economic and social
    benefits of increased travel while keeping borders secure.

    Promoting Strategic Cooperation on Energy and Energy Security, Climate
    Change and Sustainable Development

        We recognize the strategic role of security of supply,
    competitiveness and sustainability in the energy sector. In this
    connection, we strongly reaffirm our commitment to the energy security
    principles enunciated by the International Energy Agency. We have agreed
    to reinforce our strategic energy cooperation to:
         support diversification of energy sources and supplies;
         secure our energy infrastructure;
         promote market-based energy security policies that ensure
                competition, transparency, respect for contracts, and non-
                discriminatory trade, transit, and access;
         speed development of new lower-pollution and lower carbon
                technologies;
         accelerate investment in cleaner, more efficient use of
                fossil sources and renewable sources in order to cut air
                pollution harmful to human health and natural resources, and
                reducing greenhouse gases associated with the serious long-
                term challenge of global climate change.
        We will cooperate to ensure sufficient, reliable and environmentally
    responsible supplies of energy at prices reflecting market fundamentals,
    facilitating sustained global economic growth as well as expanding
    access to energy in developing countries. Thus, we agree to:
         Improve energy security by enhancing the dialogue with the
                main transit, producer and consumer countries and by
                promoting diversification of energy sources and supply
                routes worldwide and notably in the Caspian Sea region,
                Middle East, continental Africa and Latin America;
         Analyze geopolitical implications of the worldwide energy
                situation as it develops, its impact on our external
                policies and to develop mutually reinforcing policies where
                appropriate;
         Promote energy security policies in key third countries by
                encouraging a gradual transition to market pricing and
                behavior, and co-ordinate capacity-building assistance to
                emerging economies, including to increase energy efficiency,
                adopt clean technologies and build strategic stocks;
         Support maintenance and improvement of pipeline
                infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted deliveries and
                facilitate diversification investments in

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                large trans-national projects by ensuring convergence of
                legal and regulatory frameworks and supporting collaboration
                among energy regulatory authorities, notably with Ukraine;
         Coordinate where appropriate technical assistance to
                improve energy legal and regulatory frameworks and
                investment climates in third countries;
         Improve the security of global energy networks and develop
                standards for physical security of critical energy
                infrastructure;
         Facilitate development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG);
         Increase our coordination within international fora,
                notably the G8, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and
                the International Energy Forum (IEF);
         Use energy in a more efficient and environmentally
                responsible manner, and in particular cooperate on improving
                the efficiency of world-wide traded products. In this
                context we have just initialed a new Energy Star Agreement;
         Make more and better use of renewable energy sources and
                reinforce technological cooperation and partnerships,
                notably on environmentally-friendly low emission power
                generation technologies, hydrogen energy, carbon
                sequestration, cutting gas flaring and biofuels;
         Promote diversification of fuel sources in transportation
                sector, including through increase use of biofuels;
         Continue cooperation through the International Partnership
                for a Hydrogen Economy and increase collaboration over
                regulatory, standards and trade issues affecting alternative
                fuels and emerging technologies, especially hydrogen;
         Cooperate on developing efficient, transitional transport
                technologies, and fuel standards, such as plug-in hybrids or
                efficient diesel engines;
         Continue scientific exchanges among U.S. and EU research
                and development organizations focused on energy efficiency
                in buildings;
         Promote, consistent with national energy policies, safety
                standards in the production of nuclear energy.
        To monitor and guide this process, we will conduct an annual
    strategic review of U.S.-EU energy cooperation.
        We also agreed to promote energy security worldwide by applying the
    following Energy Security Principles:
            a.   Contractual commitments should be upheld and market-based
                principles should prevail at all stages of the energy supply
                chain.
            b.   Diversifying sources of energy and modes/routes of transit,
                and ensuring non-discriminatory third-party access to
                transit infrastructure will improve the functioning of
                energy markets worldwide.
            c.   Open, transparent, non-discriminatory and stable legal
                conditions that ensure fair and equitable treatment for
                energy investment and trade are essential to helping
                producing and transit countries meet market demands.
            d.   Further development of production and export capacities in
                producer countries in a safe and secure environment, and the
                upgrading of existing and development of new energy
                transportation infrastructures by producer and transit
                countries as well as further development of refinery
                capacity in all countries are critical.
            e.   Bolstering and ensuring the highest levels of physical and
                environmental security and safety of energy infrastructures,
                as well as the highest level of nuclear safety, is crucial
                to the durability and sustainability of the global energy
                system.

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            f.   We should encourage the most economic and efficient use of
                energy worldwide notably through the use of market-based
                instruments to minimize negative environmental consequences,
                and should promote in particular the use of cleaner and more
                efficient use of fossil fuels and the development of
                economically competitive non-fossil energy sources based on
                appropriate policies and market-based instruments.
            g.   We should promote continued research, development and
                deployment of alternative energy sources and the
                facilitation of technological and industrial co-operation.
            h.   Supporting effective implementation of transparency and
                data sharing initiatives, such as the Joint Oil Data
                Initiative (JODI), including on the evaluation of oil
                reserves, and the Extractive Industries Transparency
                Initiative (EITI) will improve transparency and
                predictability of the market for all stakeholders.
            i.   Addressing energy poverty endured by many of the world's
                poorest people who will still lack access to modern energy
                services is a priority.
        We will work more closely to address the serious and long-term
    challenge of climate change, biodiversity loss and air pollution and
    will act with resolve and urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We
    will continue our dialogue and efforts under the UN Framework Convention
    on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including work on long-term cooperative
    action in the process established in Montreal in December 2005. To this
    end, we have agreed to establish an U.S.-EU High Level Dialogue on
    Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development to build on
    existing bilateral and multilateral initiatives and further advance
    implementation of the G-8 Gleneagles Plan of Action for Climate Change,
    Clean Energy and Sustainable Development. This dialogue will be guided
    by the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC and will initially meet in fall
    2006 in Helsinki. Among topics of importance for this dialogue will be
    experience with different market-based mechanisms to promote cost-
    effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; advancing the
    development and deployment of existing and transformational technologies
    that are cleaner and more efficient, producing energy with significantly
    lower emissions; efficiency and conservation; renewable fuels; clean
    diesel; capture of methane; lower emitting agricultural operations and
    energy production and distribution systems, as well as other
    environmental issues.

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