For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 13, 2001

Joint Statement on New U.S.-Russian Relationship
Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin on a New Relationship Between the United States and Russia

Our countries are embarked on a new relationship for the 21st century, founded on a commitment to the values of democracy, the free market, and the rule of law.  The United States and Russia have overcome the legacy of the Cold War.  Neither country regards the other as an enemy or threat. Aware of our responsibility to contribute to international security, we are determined to work together, and with other nations and international organizations, including the United Nations, to promote security, economic well-being, and a peaceful, prosperous, free world.

We affirm our determination to meet the threats to peace in the 21st century.  Among these threats are terrorism, the new horror of which was vividly demonstrated by the evil crimes of September 11, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, militant nationalism, ethnic and religious intolerance, and regional instability.  These threats endanger the security of both countries and the world at large.  Dealing with these challenges calls for the creation of a new strategic framework to ensure the mutual security of the United States and Russia, and the world community.

We have agreed that the current levels of our nuclear forces do not reflect the strategic realities of today.  Therefore, we have confirmed our respective commitments to implement substantial reductions in strategic offensive weapons.  On strategic defenses and the ABM Treaty, we have agreed, in light of the changing global security environment, to continue consultations within the broad framework of the new strategic relationship. On nonproliferation matters, we reaffirm our mutual commitment to the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions, and endorse efforts to strengthen the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.  Both sides agree that urgent attention must continue to be given to improving the physical protection and accounting of nuclear materials of all possessor states, and preventing illicit nuclear trafficking.

We support the building of a European-Atlantic community whole, free, and at peace, excluding no one, and respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.  To this end, the United States and Russia will work, together with NATO and other NATO members, to improve, strengthen, and enhance the relationship between NATO and Russia, with a view to developing new, effective mechanisms for consultation, cooperation, joint decision, and coordinated/joint action.  We believe that these mechanisms should reflect the fact that the members of NATO and Russia are increasingly allied against terrorism, regional instability and other contemporary threats, and that the NATO-Russia relationship should therefore evolve accordingly.  We will also work to strengthen our cooperation in OSCE as a broadly representative, inclusive organization for conducting consultations, taking decisions, and working together in the region.

We recognize a market economy, the freedom of economic choice and an open democratic society as the most effective means to provide for the welfare of our citizens.  The United States and Russia will cooperate, including through the support of direct contacts between the business communities of our countries, to advance U.S.-Russian economic, trade, and investment relations.  The achievement of these goals requires the removal of legislative and administrative barriers, a transparent, predictable investment climate, the rule of law, and market-based economic reforms.  To this end, it is important to reduce bureaucratic constraints on the economy and to combat economic crime and corruption.

Reaffirming our commitment to advance common values, the United States and Russia will continue to work together to protect and advance human rights, tolerance, religious freedom, free speech and independent media, economic opportunity, and the rule of law.  In keeping with these commitments, we welcome the initiative of Russian and American media executives, journalists, and independent organizations to convene a ?Russian-American Media Entrepreneurship Dialogue.?  We will promote intense people-to-people exchanges as an important factor for enhancing mutual understanding between the American and Russian peoples.  We pledge ourselves to the principles and values that represent the best traditions of both our nations, and to cooperation in order to realize them now and in the future.

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