[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 13 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Pages 546-548]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement With Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on a Transatlantic 
Vision for the 21st Century

March 29, 2001

    The United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany are 
linked by a deep friendship. Our meeting today opens a new chapter in 
our close relationship. At the beginning of the 21st century, we 
reaffirm our common commitment to the lasting principles which are at 
the basis of the Transatlantic community of values--freedom, democracy 
and human rights. On this basis, we are resolved to strengthen and 
further develop the partnership between the United States of America and 
Europe. In the age of globalization we want to give it a new quality.
    We agree that our cooperation within the Atlantic Alliance continues 
to be of decisive importance for the security and stability of the Euro-
Atlantic region and that this includes an adequate military presence of 
the United States in Europe. The Atlantic Alliance has adapted itself to 
the historic changes in Europe after the end of the Cold War and today 
also plays an important role in promoting stability in the states of 
Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. The openness of the Alliance 
for new members and its offer of a comprehensive partnership to the new 
democracies on the European continent contribute to peace and security 
in all of Europe. They are directed against no one.
    We share the view that Russia can make an important contribution to 
maintaining peace and stability in Europe and the world. We encourage 
the Russian government to further pursue a policy of democratic reforms 
and offer our cooperation to this end.
    We will be partners for the states in Southeastern Europe on their 
way into a peaceful future. War, aggressive nationalism and extremist 
acts of violence must belong to the past. We will lend our support to 
the process of stabilization and democratization in the Balkans, 
continuing to act in close consultation and jointly. In these efforts, 
the Stability Pact will continue to play a central role.
    Both our countries have long-standing commitments to the territorial 
integrity of Macedonia. We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated by 
a small group of extremists trying to destabilize that country's 
democratic, multi-ethnic government. Their violent methods are hurting 
the long-term interests of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia, Kosovo, and 
throughout the region. We strongly support President Trajkovski and the 
Macedonia government in taking proportionate steps to prevent further 
violence and urge that they work closely with elected representatives of 
the Macedonian Albanian community to address legitimate minority 
concerns. We welcome steps being taken by NATO, the European Union, and 
the OSCE to help Macedonia contain the insurgents as well as to 
facilitate a political solution.
    We are convinced that the uniting Europe will enrich Transatlantic 
relations. From the beginning, the United States of America has offered 
its support to European unification, for a Europe that is strong and 
capable lies in the interest of the United States just as much as Europe 
needs a strong American partner. Therefore we view the development of a 
European Security and Defense Policy as an important contribution to 
sharing the burden of securing peace which will strengthen the Atlantic 
Alliance.
    The United States and Germany welcome the efforts of the European 
Union to assume greater responsibility for crisis management by 
strengthening capabilities and developing the ability to take actions 
where NATO as

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a whole chooses not to engage. In this regard, the United States 
welcomes the European Union's European Security and Defense Policy 
(ESDP), aiming at making Europe a stronger, more capable partner in 
deterring and managing crises affecting the security of the 
Transatlantic community. This involves:
 <bullet>    Developing EU capabilities in a manner that is fully 
            coordinated, compatible, and transparent with NATO;
 <bullet>    The fullest possible participation by non-EU European NATO 
            members in the operational planning and execution of EU-led 
            exercises and operations, reflecting their shared interests 
            and security commitments as NATO members;
 <bullet>    Working with other EU members to improve Europe's 
            capabilities and enables the EU to act where NATO as a whole 
            is not engaged.
    Together we are resolved to undertake new efforts in countering the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and increasingly 
sophisticated missiles for their delivery. We agree on the need for 
substantive bilateral consultations, as well as close consultations with 
other allies and interested parties. We will work together toward a 
post-Cold War strategy that increases our common security and that 
encompasses the appropriate mix of offensive and defensive systems, and 
that continues nuclear arms reductions and strengthens WMD and missile 
proliferation controls as well as counter-proliferation measures.
    We are resolved to increase our efforts to abolish barriers impeding 
trade between the European Union and the United States of America. In 
areas where we have differences of opinion we will strive to bring our 
positions closer together.
    In the framework of G-7/8 we will contribute to helping the poorest 
countries in drawing more benefit from technological development, in 
particular in the field of information technology. Together we will also 
increase our efforts towards bringing about a stable global finance 
system. This will also be of help in overcoming hunger, poverty, and 
disease in large parts of the world that represent a challenge to all of 
us.
    We share a common concern about global climate change. We openly 
note that we differ on the best way to protect the earth's climate. The 
Federal Republic of Germany, host of the Climate Change Conference in 
Bonn in July, emphasizes that the targets to reduce greenhouse gases 
agreed in Kyoto are indispensable to combat global climate change 
effectively. The United States opposes the Kyoto Protocol because it 
exempts many countries from compliance and would cause serious harm to 
the American economy. Both sides, however, are prepared to work 
constructively with friends and allies to solve the problem. In this 
context they deem it necessary to develop, among other means, 
technologies, market-based incentives, and other innovative approaches 
to meeting the challenge of global climate change.
    We attach particular importance to the fight against HIV/AIDS. We 
want the G-7/8 to intensify their efforts to ease the suffering of 
millions of people who are inflicted by this disease. We consider it to 
be of particular importance for the pharmaceutical industry to take 
additional measures so that HIV/AIDS patients in affected developing 
countries can be supplied with medication at affordable prices.
    We welcome the agreements on the establishment of the German 
Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility, and the Future for compensation 
payments to former forced laborers. We note with great satisfaction that 
the German companies now have made available their total share in the 
Foundation. We call for a swift implementation of the agreements on all-
embracing and enduring legal peace so that payments to the aged former 
forced laborers can begin as soon as possible.
    German-American friendship constitutes a pillar of Transatlantic 
relations. It must continue to be based on broad popular support in the 
new century. To this end, we will, on both sides of the Atlantic, 
encourage even more contacts among members of the younger generation.

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

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