[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 7 (Monday, February 20, 1995)]
[Pages 239-240]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement on Relations Between the United States of America and 
the Republic of Bulgaria

February 13, 1995

    At the invitation of President Bill Clinton, President Zhelyu Zhelev 
visited Washington, meeting with President Clinton at the White House on 
February 13.
    President Clinton and President Zhelev stressed the value of the 
close cooperation established over the past five years in maintaining 
regional stability and supporting Bulgaria's democratic and market 
economic transformation. They agreed that relations between the two 
countries rest on the values of democracy and human rights. President 
Clinton noted that the security of Bulgaria and the other Central 
European democracies is inseparably linked to that of the United States 
and praised Bulgaria's balanced and constructive policy in the Balkans.
    Both Presidents noted the importance of continued implementation of 
Bulgaria's market economic reforms. In this context, they noted the need 
for Bulgaria to solidify its efforts at stabilization, to accelerate 
implementation of privatization and to complete the legal and regulatory 
conditions necessary to a market economy. President Clinton offered 
continued U.S. assistance to support Bulgaria's efforts in this 
direction. As part of the planned 1995 $30 million U.S. foreign 
assistance program in Bulgaria, President Clinton told President Zhelev 
of a new $7 million loan program designed to support small and medium-
sized private businesses, especially in rural areas.
    Recognizing the significant cost to Bulgaria of enforcing United 
Nations sanctions

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against Serbia/Montenegro, President Clinton and President Zhelev agreed 
about the continuing importance of sanctions as a key tool to resolving 
peacefully the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.
    President Clinton reaffirmed that the United States will remain 
engaged in efforts to improve regional transportation infrastructure in 
the southern Balkans, including Bulgaria. The two Presidents agreed that 
such projects can help mitigate the interruption of trade routes and 
promote regional stability and democracy. President Clinton noted that 
he has asked Congress for $30 million for this regional project.
    The United States and Republic of Bulgaria affirmed their 
determination to enhance regional and European stability through support 
of the OSCE, United Nations and Partnership for Peace.
    Both countries will work to advance Bulgaria's integration into 
international and Euro-Atlantic economic and security institutions. 
President Clinton and President Zhelev affirmed support for the 
Partnership for Peace as the path for all countries of Central Europe 
and other Partners who wish to work toward NATO membership. President 
Clinton stated that under his Warsaw Initiative the United States will 
seek $5 million in security-related assistance for Bulgaria to support 
the purposes of the Partnership for Peace plus additional resources to 
support security cooperation.
    Recognizing the international dimension of many crimes, the two 
Presidents agreed to deepen cooperation between their respective law 
enforcement agencies in the struggle against terrorism and organized 
criminal activities including narco-trafficking, money laundering and 
smuggling of cultural and historical objects.
    The two leaders agreed to encourage and promote trade and investment 
between their countries, based on market principles. The two nations 
intend to work together to create the conditions necessary for such 
market cooperation, taking into account such issues as protection of 
investments and new technologies, adequate and effective protection of 
intellectual property and other elements necessary to a friendly 
investment environment. Agreements concerning trade and investment have 
already been signed, including a Trade Agreement and Bilateral 
Investment Treaty, and the two Presidents placed high priority on the 
conclusion of a Treaty on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. Following 
the announcement of a new Central Europe Initiative by the U.S. Export-
Import Bank, the Presidents agreed to work to establish a cooperative 
financing arrangement to support Bulgarian exports that also involve 
U.S. goods and services to third country markets. The two Presidents 
agreed that this initiative could help create jobs in both Bulgaria and 
the United States.
    President Clinton recognized the importance of the removal of 
Bulgaria from application of the provisions of Title IV of the U.S. 
Trade Act of 1974 (the Jackson-Vanik Amendment). The U.S. Administration 
has made determinations that Bulgaria is in full compliance with Title 
IV criteria and will consult with the U.S. Congress concerning 
legislation to remove Bulgaria from application of Title IV at an early 
date.
    Both Presidents agreed to support ongoing educational and cultural 
projects such as the American University in Blagoevgrad and to seek to 
conclude and implement a Science and Technical Agreement.
    Through cooperation to advance common political, economic, security 
and humanitarian interests, the United States and the Republic of 
Bulgaria continue to build a strong and enduring relationship.

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