[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.