[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 27 (Monday, July 9, 2007)]
[Pages 903-905]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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Joint Declaration by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V.
Putin of Russia on Nuclear Energy and Nonproliferation Joint Actions
July 3, 2007
We are determined to play an active role in making the advantages of
the peaceful use of nuclear energy available to a wide range of
interested States, in particular developing countries, provided the
common goal of prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons is
achieved. To this end, we intend, together with others, to initiate a
new format for enhanced cooperation.
Bearing this in mind, we acknowledge with satisfaction the
initialing of the bilateral Agreement between the Government of the
Russian Federation and the Government of the United States of America
for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. We share
the view that this Agreement will provide an essential basis for the
expansion of Russian-U.S. cooperation in the field of peaceful use of
nuclear energy and expect this document to be signed and brought into
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force in accordance with existing legal requirements.
We share a common vision of growth in the use of nuclear energy,
including in developing countries, to increase the supply of
electricity, promote economic growth and development, and reduce
reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in decreased pollution and
greenhouse gasses.
This expansion of nuclear energy should be conducted in a way that
strengthens the nuclear nonproliferation regime. We strongly support the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and are committed to
its further strengthening. We support universal adherence to the IAEA
Additional Protocol, and call on those who have not yet done so to sign
and ratify it. We support the activities of the IAEA with respect to
both safeguards and promotion of peaceful nuclear energy, and fully
understand the need for growth of its capabilities, including its
financial resources, commensurate with the expanded use of nuclear
energy worldwide.
We are prepared to support expansion of nuclear energy in the
following ways, consistent with national law and international legal
frameworks. These efforts build on, reinforce, and complement a range of
existing activities, including the work at the IAEA for reliable access
to nuclear fuel, the initiative of the Russian Federation on developing
Global Nuclear Infrastructure, including the nuclear fuel center in the
Russian Federation, the initiative of the United States to establish the
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, the IAEA International Project on
Innovative Nuclear Rectors and Fuel Cycles, and the Generation IV
International Forum.
<bullet> Facilitating the supply of a range of modern, safe, and
more proliferation resistant nuclear power reactors and
research reactors appropriate to meet the varying energy
needs of developing and developed countries.
<bullet> Arranging for participation in national and multinational
programs to develop requirements for nuclear reactors for
participating countries.
<bullet> Facilitating and supporting financing to aid construction
of nuclear power plants through public and private national
and multinational mechanisms, including international
financial institutions.
<bullet> Providing assistance to states to develop the necessary
infrastructure to support nuclear energy, including
development of appropriate regulatory frameworks, safety and
security programs to assist states in meeting international
standards, and training of personnel.
<bullet> Developing solutions to deal with the management of spent
fuel and radioactive waste, including options for leasing of
fuel, storage of spent fuel, and over time development of
technology for recycling spent fuel.
<bullet> Ensuring that the IAEA has the resources it needs to meet
its safeguards responsibilities as nuclear power expands
worldwide.
<bullet> Supporting expanded IAEA Technical Cooperation to help
states build the necessary infrastructure for safe, secure,
and reliable operations of nuclear power plants.
<bullet> Assisting development and expansion of regional electricity
grids, to permit states without nuclear reactors to share in
the benefits of nuclear power.
<bullet> Providing nuclear fuel services, including taking steps to
ensure that the commercial nuclear fuel market remains
stable and that states are assured of reliable access to
nuclear fuel and fuel services for the lifetime of reactors,
including through establishment of international nuclear
fuel cycle centers, to provide nuclear fuel cycle services,
including uranium enrichment, under IAEA safeguards.
<bullet> Supporting negotiation of long-term contracts for power
reactors and research reactors, including assured supply of
fuel and arrangements for management of spent fuel.
We are prepared to enter into discussions jointly and bilaterally to
develop mutually beneficial approaches with states considering nuclear
energy or considering expansion of existing nuclear energy programs in
conformity with their rights and obligations under the NPT. The
development of economical and reliable access to nuclear energy
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is designed to permit states to gain the benefits of nuclear energy and
to create a viable alternative to the acquisition of sensitive fuel
cycle technologies.
The energy and nonproliferation challenges we face today are greater
than ever before. We are convinced that this approach will permit
substantial expansion of nuclear energy and at the same time strengthen
nonproliferation. We welcome the cooperation of states that share this
common vision and are committed to jointly taking steps to make this
vision a reality.
The President of the The President of the
United States of America: Russian Federation:
Washington, Moscow
July 3, 2007.
Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
this joint statement.