For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 14, 2001
Press Conference by President Bush, Prime Minister Goran Persson of Sweden
Massan Convention Center
Goteborg, Sweden
Listen to the President's Remarks
4:27 P.M. (Local)
PRIME MINISTER PERSSON: Mr.
President. Mr. President. Welcome to the press conference,
all members of the media. We have had a very productive
summit between the European Union and the United States. We
have been discussing, as you realize, matters that are on our common
agenda. First of all, world trade, the necessity to go ahead
with a new round to liberalize trade, to give a clear signal about the
need to create growth in the world economy.
We realize the clear linkage between the last
Uruguay Round and the consecutive years of good economic growth in the
world economy. Now we are in a little bit more, if not
stagnant phase, at least a phase with lower growth. We need
a new impetus. We need a new stimulus to the economy. And
the best thing to do is to go for a new round about how to liberalize
trade.
We have discussed that; also some disputes and
mechanism to solve disputes. This is the main message -- go
along with the liberalization of trade to support and stimulate growth,
the common responsibility for the European Union and the United
States.
The second thing we have discussed was about
how to find a way to cooperate about to combat climate change, because
you know that's not a secret. We don't agree upon how we
regard the Kyoto Protocol. So to say we agree to disagree
about substance, according to the Kyoto Protocol. The
European Union will stick to the Kyoto Protocol and go for a
ratification process. The U.S. has chosen another policy.
But we have the same targets, and we have to
meet the same problems. Climate change is not isolated to European, or
to America, it's a global threat. So, nevertheless, if you
are in favor or against the Kyoto Protocol, you have to take
action. So we agreed to disagree about substance, but agreed
to go on with some type of procedure that can lead us back to a
position that we can cooperate and try to support each other.
We will call for personal representatives to
follow up our discussion, and that we'll mean that we send a signal
that we go on ahead with the Kyoto Protocol, the American government go
on ahead with their policy, but we'll try to cooperate as much as
possible and try to find a process for that.
That was the second thing we
discussed. The third thing was about
HIV/AIDS. There is a terrible threat for many millions, not
least in Africa. A generation can be swept away, children
without parents and children born with HIV. It's a
tremendous threat, and something we just can't neglect. We
have to take our part of the responsibility. The American
President proposed a fund together with the U.N., and we discussed also
how the European Union could support in that work. That was
the third thing we discussed.
Then we also discussed, of course, the
situation of the Balkans. We are close allies, we cooperate,
and we said that we came in together and then the day come, we don't
know when, we will go out together. That is important to
say. And then, we'll do everything we can to support the
governments around in the region, and to stay as constructive, reliable
partners for the good progress according democracy and
economy. It's not easy, but our presence is necessary.
We discussed, also, the situation in the
Middle East. And we have a joint statement, the first time
the European Union and the U.S., how to support the road back for peace
and reconciliation. And that is to say that we urge the
partners to live up to the cease-fire, because without an ending of
violence, there will be no possibilities to go on with the so-called
Mitchell Report that after the end of violence, we call for
confidence-building measures, and then negotiations about peace and
reconciliation. We stand together. We urge both
partners to go for the cease-fire, and stick to it.
As you can hear, this is an agenda covering
different subjects. But it's also, of course, a way to
express our common values, how to cooperate about the economy; how to
take responsibility for the conditions -- living conditions for the
next generation; how to cooperate for peace and reconciliation around
the world, based on values and based on the idea that Europe and the
United States have to take a global responsibility in a global
partnership. That is the main content during our U.S.-EU
Summit today.
I give the floor to the President of the
United States.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister,
thank you very much. Mr. President. I first want
to start by thanking our Swedish hosts, particularly the King and the
Prime Minister, for the generous hospitality shown to me and my wife
and our delegation. Millions of Americans trace their
heritage to Sweden, so it's a huge honor for me to be the first setting
President of the United States to come to this country, to be with our
friends.
We had great discussions over lunch and before
lunch. I guess my summary is, is that friends are able to
speak candidly and constructively. And our relationship with the
United States -- between the United States and Sweden, and the United
States and the European Union is strong and it is
healthy. Values and the goals we share are durable, and
they're great goals.
We resolve to work closely together, on issues
that confront our nations. We share a strong interest in
maintaining our economic ties. The EU and the United States
have got the largest economic relationship in the
world. Investment and annual trade come to approximately
$1.5 trillion. And that's a relationship that is important to the
working people of our respective countries.
Our trade relationship is
strong. The recent resolution over the dispute on bananas
proves that we can work to solve problems. And we'll
continue to work closely with the EU in supporting a new round on
global trade negotiations.
We share a commitment to building a Europe
that is whole and free and at peace. We believe that we must
continue to cooperate in Southeast Europe. As I told the
Prime Minister, same thing I said yesterday at NATO, we went into
Southeast Europe together, and we will leave
together. That's a commitment of our
government. We must also work to build institutions
necessary, so that at some point in time, we can take our troops out of
Southeast Europe. But until that happens, our government is
committed to working with NATO and the EU to bring peace and democracy
and stability to that part of the world.
The EU and the United States also understand
we must be partners in confronting environmental
challenges. The United States is committed to addressing
climate change. We had a constructive discussion on this
topic over lunch, and we agreed to create new channels of cooperation
on this important topic. As the Prime Minister said, we
don't agree on the Kyoto Treaty, but we do agree that
climate change is a serious issue and we must work
together. We agree that climate change requires a global
response, and agree to intensify cooperation on science and on
technology.
And finally, we share important challenges, as
the Prime Minister mentioned -- fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis in Africa; helping Africa lift itself out of poverty with
trade and open markets; continuing efforts to ease tension and foster
peace on the Korean Peninsula. We agree on the need for all
parties to halt the violence in the Middle East.
These are great goals and we share common
purposes, and it has been my honor to represent our great nation with
the great nations of Europe in this fruitful and constructive
dialogue.
Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER PERSSON: Thank you.
President Prodi.
PRESIDENT PRODI: This first summit
has shown how solid is our partnership. More than solid, it
is indispensable for U.S., for Europe and for world
peace. When we act together, we do enormous progress for
peace. And we can -- we have taken a few issues this morning in which
our cooperation has done very concrete results.
Trade, we can launch a new global trade round
in Qatar if we work together. We have today committed
ourselves to this goal. We agreed on a common approach for
an inclusive WTO round, and we shall also address the specific interest
of developing countries and their legitimate concern expressed by civil
society.
Some may think that we work -- lose too much
time working on trade disputes. But it is not
true. Now the real disputes are very, very small
now. And this morning we worked to make this even
smaller. We have really stated today that we want to talk
rather than to litigate. And we shall do --this will be our
route. We have had the recent agreement on bananas and the
gluten. And we are going on in trying agreements, even in
the hottest spots of the province of trade.
Of course, for the climate change, I don't
repeat the difference we have, but we have decided to work together on
research. And I think this is a real goal because, for the
future, we can approach our position.
Our objective and our duty remain the
successful conclusion of the July conference in Bonn. And I
was pleased to hear that the U.S. will participate in this
conference. So the dialogue goes on, even if there are big
difference in this.
So we agreed also on to stop the spread of
disease, notably in Africa. And we are trying to convince to have an
agreement in the pricing system to make good medicine affordable for
the poorest people in the world. But on this subject we had
the very interesting exchange of view and very interesting approach.
I don't repeat the work we have done together
in the Balkans. The problems remain, but the European Union
is assuming the leading role in this common challenge in the
Balkans. And the cooperation in the Middle East has had
results, and we have also started the idea of building up some
foundation for economic cooperation in the Middle East, because if we
don't work also in the economic fields, we shall never have a stable
peace.
PRIME MINISTER PERSSON: Thank you,
Romano. And you are --
Q President Bush, about
a decade ago, your father came to Europe, around the time that the
Soviet Union was breaking up, and he said he had a broad vision for
Europe and its future and its expansion. In your five months
in office, have you formed your own vision for Europe, and would you
like to share that with us?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Tomorrow in Warsaw
-- I'll be glad to give you a little preview. I believe that
we have an opportunity to form an alliance of peace, that Europe ought
to include nations beyond the current scope of EU and
NATO. I strongly believe in NATO expansion, and I believe
that the EU ought to expand, as well.
I believe a Europe, whole and free, is going
to be a Europe that trades actively with the United States and with the
rest of the world. Tomorrow, Friday -- I mean Saturday, I am going to
be visiting with Mr. Putin. It's at a very important time
for me to visit with Mr. Putin, to assure him a couple of things --
one, Russia is not the enemy of the United States; two, the Cold War is
over and the mentality that used to grip our two nations during the
Cold War must end; three, we look forward to working with
Europe. Europe ought not to fear -- I mean, Russia ought not
to fear a Europe -- Russia ought to welcome an expanded Europe on her
border.
And so, my vision of Europe is a larger
vision: more countries, more free trade, and one in which
welcomes Russia and the Ukraine, welcomes Russia and encourages Russia
to make the right choices when it comes to the institutions necessary
to be able to become a partner with Europe and the United States.
Q A question for Mr.
Bush, if I may. After the contacts you had and the talks you
had today, are there areas where you would feel like deepening the
cooperation with Europe? And, at the same time, are there
also areas where you feel that you think so differently that this is no
longer possible?
And the second question, if I may, on
Kyoto. If research that you carry on together should show
that there is a possibility of adding something to the Protocol, would
you be interested in that, or is that a finished
question? Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, I think a lot
of people are surprised to hear that there is a spirit of cooperation
on global warming and on climate change. I say loud and
clear that our nation is willing to lead on this issue, that -- and I
laid out the principles necessary for leadership: one, we must
stabilize emissions; two, results must be measured, and we've got to
spend money and time on additional science, which we're willing to do
and willing to cooperate with the E.U. on; that we must be flexible in
our solution. I think it's important to understand that
things and information changes, and therefore, any solution that we
agree to must be flexible. Four, that we believe that our
economies can grow and at the same time, come up with climate change
solutions; five, that we're willing to look at market-based solutions;
and six, that the solution ought to be global. And so, to
answer your question, there's a lot of ways for us to deepen
discussions on this important issue.
I understand the concerns of people in
Europe. The Prime Minister was most eloquent in his
assessment and summary of the attitudes of people not only in Sweden,
but in Europe. People in our nation care about global
warming and greenhouse emissions, as well. We didn't feel
like the Kyoto Treaty was well-balanced. It didn't include
developing nations. The goals were not
realistic. However, that doesn't mean we cannot continue to
work together, and will work together, on reducing greenhouse gases.
I've laid out an energy plan that I shared
with the Prime Minister and the President that not only addresses our
nation's energy needs, because we're -- I've got an emphasis on
conservation, as well as renewables and natural gas and nuclear
power. The energy plan, if implemented, will help with the
global climate.
Our nation is making progress; there's more to
do, and we can work more with Europe. So there's an area
right there that if someone would have said, well, they don't have much
to talk about -- we've got a lot to talk about, and I look forward to
the discussions.
Ron.
Q Thank you,
sir. On the same topic --
PRESIDENT BUSH: There's other
people up here, you know?
Q I actually have a
question for two Presidents.
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's
good. (Laughter.)
Q First to
you. Not a single European Union nation has ratified the
Kyoto Treaty, which was signed when many of your counterparts were in
office. Yet, you've been criticized by these same leaders
for rejecting it. Why do you suppose their actions have not
been as forceful as the rhetoric? And, President Prodi, why
haven't any EU nations ratified the treaty?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I don't have much
more to add to the subject. I think that's a good question
for President Prodi. I believe people are genuine about the
issue. I don't believe there's any politics,
necessarily. I think people are generally concerned, and are
trying to address the issue as best as they possibly
can. And -- but I would be interested in your answer.
PRESIDENT PRODI: There is no one
single country who has declared not to ratify it. The
ratification process will start soon, and it started already in some
countries, it's going on, and there is no one message until now of
refusal or delay of ratification.
Q Mr. President Bush,
how do you really look upon a stronger, more united European Union,
with the ambition of being the number one economy in the
world? Do you see this as a threat to the
U.S.? And will this lead to that U.S. will decrease its
engagement in Europe in the future?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I appreciate good
competition. I believe competition brings out the best in
nations and people and entities. And our nation welcomes
good, healthy competition. Secondly, I don't view European
Union and its consolidation as a zero-sum game for the United
States. I believe the stronger Europe is, the better it is
off for America. The more peaceful Europe is, the better it
is for America.
I am concerned about isolationism and
protectionism, not only amongst some voices in Europe, but also in my
own country. And I think that we've got to do everything we
can to unite to promote free trade; not only free trade for the benefit
of our own people, but free trade for the benefit of developing
nations, as well.
We spent a lot of time talking about Africa,
as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from
incredible disease, and it suffers from poverty, as
well. And my way of thinking is the only way for Africa to
grow and to develop, and to provide hope and opportunity for its
citizens is for there to be trade between the United States and Africa,
between the EU and Africa.
And so I view a strong EU as good for the
world, and I welcome a strong -- my trip here was to send that signal
as loud as I can that we will remain engaged with the EU and with NATO,
that we respect the E. and NATO, and we understand it's importance to
the future of our country.
Steve.
Q Mr. President, why
did you decide to stop bombing exercises at Vieques
Island? Were you swayed by the protests of the Puerto Rican
people, or were there political factors involved, such as the concerns
of Puerto Rican -- excuse me, Hispanic Americans?
PRESIDENT BUSH: He's referring to
the fact that upon assuming office, I was presented, like I have been
on other issues, with an agreement between Puerto Rico and the United
States government that we would conduct exercises off of the island of
Vieques for the United States Navy. My attitude is that the
Navy ought to find somewhere else to conduct its exercises -- for a lot
of reasons. One, there's been some harm done to people in
the past. Secondly, these are our friends and neighbors, and
they don't want us there.
And so I appreciate the fact that the Defense
Department and the Navy responded and have made the statement loud and
clear that, within a reasonable period of time, that the Navy will find
another place to practice, and to be prepared to keep the
peace. It's the right agreement. I applaud the Defense
Department and the Navy for reaching that agreement.
Q Mr. President, my
question is on the Middle East. Mr. Bush, do you see Europe
and the United States as equal and -- fully equal partners and
mediators in the Middle East conflict?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I see Europe and
the United States with the need to speak with one voice, and one voice
only, and that is implement Mitchell, starting with breaking the cycle
of violence. The EU has had some constructive meetings in
the Middle East and we appreciate their efforts. The Prime Minister
went to the Middle East. He shared with us his concerns and
what he saw. But what we must do as friends and allies is
say only one thing, and work toward only one goal right now, and that
is to stop the cycle of violence. There should be no --
understand, there should be no -- political dialogue isn't going to
happen until the violence stops.
And all parties have got to understand that if
there's a genuine desire for a more peaceful situation, the ability to
discuss a wide range of issues, that they've got to break the cycle of
violence. And we're committed to working together to do just
that. We're committed to spending our capital and energies.
The Middle East is consuming a lot of time in
my administration, as it should. It's a very important part
of the world. I'm pleased to report yesterday in Brussels
that the Tenet initiative was able to at least get signatures on a
piece of paper. But signatures are just that until there's
action. And there must be action. And that's the
message that the EU leaders and my country are going to send to the
parties involved.
Thank you very much.
END 3:52 P.M. (Local)
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