President Bush, Russian President Putin Sign Treaty of Moscow
Press Availability with President Bush and President Putin - St. Petersburg, Russia
Konstantin Palace
St. Petersburg, Russia
10:07 A.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT PUTIN: We've just signed and exchanged instruments of
ratification of the Russian-U.S. treaty on strategic reductions. The
treaty has come into force. Yet again, we've demonstrated that the
United States and Russia are two champions of the mutually advantageous
cooperation on the basis of partnership, openness, and transparency.
Such a declaration is also conducive to greater strategic stability
and international security. Having committed themselves to reduce
their strategic capabilities by a factor of three, our two countries
reiterated that they continue on the course of strategic reduction and
improvement of stability.
The strategic reduction treaty also improves the regime of
nonproliferation. And this is all the more appropriate in the context
of the fight against international terrorism, the terrorists who are
trying to acquire all kinds of weapons security, including weapons of
mass destruction, to pursue their goals. We now must work on the
implementation of that treaty.
The bilateral implementation commission will be established. The
already existing bilateral mechanism between Russia and the United
States will continue their work on the widest possible agenda of
interaction, including strategic weapons, nonproliferation and missile
defense. The role of instructions have been made to our experts of the
two countries in accordance with the joint statements reached between
the two countries on new and continued strategic partnership.
Our meeting between the President of the United States and myself
is taking place at a very crucial juncture of the development of the
world, where very dangerous and complex events develop. This current
summit meeting yet again confirmed the fact that there is no
alternative for the cooperation between Russia and the United States,
both in terms of ensuring our domestic national agendas and in terms of
cooperation for the sake of enhanced international strategic
stability.
We agreed with the President to continue our efforts in terms of
enhancing international stability, fight against terrorism, and
ensuring better strategic stability. We also agreed to continue our
bilateral cooperation in the area of economy and other fields.
Of course, we are aware of the questions being raised as to whether
the relations between the United States and Russia will withstand the
test of time. Today, we reiterated, together with President Bush, our
resolve to continue with our strategic partnership for the benefit of
our nations and the entire world. I must say that the fundamentals
between the United States and Russia turned out to be stronger than the
forces and events that tested it.
President Bush and I formulated instructions that cover the
specific and practical aspects of furtherance of the dialogue in all
areas of our comprehensive agenda. We agreed to expand our
communication channels, including through our presidential
administrations and other agencies. We also discussed economic
issues. Our experts are in contact while discussing these issues and
we will facilitate such contacts and discussions.
The task here is quite clear. What we want is to create a solid
economic basis for the continued political dialogue and cooperation.
We discussed the need to improve and establish an appropriate
investment climate, and improve our cooperation in the international
organizations, including economic organizations. Space remains the
vital part of our cooperation, and we have confirmed this fact in our
joint statement.
Summing up, I would like to stress that the relations between the
United States and Russia is not an isolated, but global political event
and phenomenon. It is important that this cooperation serves bringing
together the world community in the face of global threats. And in
conclusion, I would like to say that the nature of our conversation was
quite frank and quite informative and comprehensive.
I would like to thank President Bush for coming to Russia and to
St. Petersburg, especially in these festive days in St. Petersburg.
For me, personally, this is a special sign and I am very appreciative
of that. Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm honored to be here, Mr. President, and I'm
honored to be with my good friend, Vladimir Putin. This is the third
time I've been to this beautiful city, and I want to congratulate you
on a successful 300th anniversary celebration.
Last night's celebrations were fantastic. It was a beautiful
evening. Today we mark an important achievement in the relations
between the United States and Russia. President Putin and I have just
exchanged instruments of the ratification for the Treaty of Moscow,
which will reduce both our nuclear arsenals to the lowest level in
decades. This treaty reflects the new strategic relationship that is
emerging between our nations.
This treaty was founded on mutual respect and a common commitment
to a more secure world. We are working closely to confront the
challenges of our time. Both of our countries have suffered greatly at
the hands of terror, and our governments are taking actions against
this threat.
We are going to win the war on terror by cooperation, as well as
providing security and hope for innocent people. That's why I support
the goals of ending the fighting and suffering in Chechnya and reaching
a lasting political settlement in that region.
The United States and Russia are also determined to meet the threat
posed by weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. We
strongly urge North Korea to visibly, verifiably and irreversibly
dismantle its nuclear weapons program. We are concerned about Iran's
advanced nuclear program and urge Iran to comply in full with its
obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
President Putin and I intend to strengthen our own cooperation on
missile defense, which is essential to the security of both our
nations. The United States appreciates Russia's recent support for
lifting U.N. sanctions on Iraq, and we both agreed that the United
Nations must play a vital role in Iraq's reconstruction. We discussed
ways we can work together to help build a better future for the people
of Iraq.
President Putin and I also discussed the growing economic
relationship between our countries. And these ties will expand
significantly as Russia opens to the world economy and qualifies for
membership in the World Trade Organization. I assured the President
that I will continue to work with Congress and firmly committed to
remove Russia from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. The
United States and Russia are working together to ensure that Russia's
energy sector can fulfill its potential in world energy markets.
Our relationship is broad. We greatly appreciate Russia's support
of the International Space Station following the loss of our space
shuttle Columbia. We are committed to continue to work together for
the good of the world.
President Putin and I have agreed to expand and strengthen
high-level contacts and communications between our two governments. I
invited the President to come to the United States for a visit in
September to visit at Camp David.
In a recent address to the Russian Duma, President Putin committed
to working for a sustainable democracy in Russia where human,
political, and civil rights will be fully ensured. That is the vision
of a strong leader. With that vision, there's no question in my mind
that Russia will fulfill its potential for greatness. And as you do
so, Mr. President, you'll have the friendship of the United States.
Thank you.
MODERATOR: Two questions on each side. The first question goes to
the U.S. side.
Q Thank you. Mr. President, are there any new developments in
the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Have any actual
weapons been found? And to both of you leaders, can you say, do you
see eye-to-eye on Iraq now, and its oil?
PRESIDENT BUSH: The first part of your question is that -- is
whether or not the weapons of mass destruction question. Here's what --
we've discovered a weapons system, biological labs, that Iraq denied
she had, and labs that were prohibited under the U.N. resolutions.
Vladimir can speak to the issue of the future of Iraq, at least his
opinion of the future. But my opinion is, is that we must work
together to improve the lives of the Iraqi citizens, that we must
cooperate closely to make sure that the Iraqi infrastructure is in
place so that the Iraqi citizens can leave decently.
And as to the energy sector, the Iraqi people will make the
decision which is in their best interest. Russia has had a long
history of involvement in Iraq, and the Iraqi authorities, when they
are firmly in place, will make the decision based upon that experience
and based upon their country's best interests.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: As you are aware, Russia has voted in favor of
the latest U.N. resolution on Iraq. It didn't abstain, it didn't vote
against it. We view it as a serious step forward in working and
practical terms on these issues, including within the United Nations,
and also, of course, together with the United States.
I must admit, our experts worked quite well and arrived at a
solution acceptable to all. I do believe that the cooperation will
continue to expand and develop, including in the area of disarmament.
But we also believe that we must go on in our relationship. And we
must also continue thinking in these terms, also including as regards
Iraq. I am in absolute solidarity with what President Bush has said in
terms of letting the people of Iraq decide their own destiny and
assisting them in achieving better and more honorable conditions of
living.
Incidentally, the resolution also contains language devoted to the
future development within Iraq. Indeed, Russian companies have a
wealth of experience operating in Iraq. And we intend to continue our
cooperation in this area, with Iraq and in Iraq, and including with
international community, making available to the international
community all our expertise, experience and resources. We cannot
exclude that our companies will be operational in Iraq; it will all
depend on its internal development, including within the framework of
oil-for-food program.
As for the future and the future development of investment
projects, well, indeed, this is a matter for the future and for our
future cooperation with all the international community, with our U.S.
friends and, of course, with the future authorities in Iraq.
Q First question is for two Presidents. Did the difference
between Russia and United States weaken the relationship and
cooperation between the two countries? And the question to President
Bush is whether the United States will continue to act in such a manner
as it acted in Iraq, by going around the United Nations?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first of all, I don't think we went around
the United Nations. I remind you we had what's called Resolution
1441. We worked through the United Nations. As a matter of fact, I
think this experience will make our relationship stronger, not weaker.
As we go forward, we will show the world that friends can disagree,
move beyond disagreement and work in a very constructive and important
way to maintain the peace.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: Strange and it may sound, but during despite
all the differences between our two countries around Iraq, we did not
only manage to preserve and maintain our personal relationship, but
also to preserve our mutual cooperation and interaction between our two
countries, and even strengthen it.
Given all the difficulty of the situation, we were trying to tread
very carefully and to cherish and preserve both international aspect to
our cooperation and personal aspect to our interaction and contacts. I
saw it done by President Bush in a very extremely professional manner
with great respect of the opinion of the others. I was trying to do
the same. And today's meeting is a proof of the fact that we have
succeeded in that.
Q Mr. President, you mentioned the Iranian nuclear program.
Were you able to persuade President Putin to stop assistance to Iran's
nuclear program, and how big a threat is Iran?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Russia and the United States have mutual concerns
about the advanced Iranian nuclear program. We understand the
consequences of Iran having a nuclear weapon. And therefore, we want
to work together, as well as with the IAEA, to insist that they not
have a nuclear weapon. And I appreciate Vladimir Putin's understanding
of the issue and his willingness to work with me and others to solve
this potential problem.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: I'll add a few words if I may.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sure.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: The positions of Russia and the United States on
the issue are much closer than they seem. We need no convincing about
the fact that the weapons of mass destruction proliferation should be
checked and prevented throughout the world. It is true not only with
regard to Iran, but also with regard to other regions of the world. We
have full understanding on this with President Bush, similar to our
mutual understanding of many other international development problems.
We have many points of coincidence of our views on many issues.
And it is precisely these things that enable me to call President Bush
my friend, not only personally because personally I do like him a
lot but as my counterpart and the President of a friendly nation.
To repeat, we have many points on which we see eye-to-eye on many
aspects of international development. As for Iran and I repeated
that during today's meeting and discussion -- we are against using the
pretext of nuclear weapon program of Iran as a leverage in as an
instrument of unfair competition against us. And we will continue
working together with all, including the United States, with the view
to preventing proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction anywhere
in the world, including, of course, in Iran.
Q First of all, this is a question directed to President
Putin. Do you believe that there are any questions that remain that
are irresolvable? And what can we do more together, more
cooperatively, in international way, to combat terrorism?
PRESIDENT PUTIN: I don't even think that we have ever had any
insurmountable problems that cannot be overcome. There are always
problems. They become more or less visible or obvious; much depends
on us as to how we address those problems and issues. The most
important thing is the presence or absence of a will to address those.
President Bush and I do have such a will. And we will do our best to
achieve such a state where the points of coincidence would grow in
number, and we will have fewer points of divergence and problems and
issues of content. And this trend will become even more efficient and
effective should we have assistance and a helping hand from the mass
media. (Laughter.)