[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 22 (Monday, June 3, 2002)]
[Page 930]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.