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 Home > News & Policies > June 2003

For Immediate Release
June 26, 2003

Global Message

KEY POINTS: U.S.-EU SUMMIT

From President Bush's remarks on 6/25/03, East Room

  • Since the end of World War II, the United States has strongly supported European unity as the best path to European peace and prosperity.

  • On Wednesday, the U.S. and EU signed new agreements to increase our legal cooperation in the war on terror, and to expedite the extradition of terrorists. We will form joint investigative teams, share information on suspect bank accounts, and expand the range of offenses that qualify for extradition.

  • The U.S. and EU also took new steps to help stop the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, including strengthening export controls on dangerous materials and active interdiction to stop illicit trade in weapons of mass destruction.

  • Iran has pledged not to develop nuclear weapons, and the entire international community must hold the regime to its commitments. The United States and the EU are determined to make the world not only safer, but also better.

  • The U.S. and EU will work together to help the people of Iraq build a future of security, prosperity and freedom. We will work together to confront global poverty, disease and oppression, and will stand together for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

  • President Bush urges Europe's leaders and those around the world to take swift, decisive action against terror groups such as Hamas by cutting off their funding and support as we have in the United States.

  • The vital trade relationship between the U.S. and EU brings growth and job creation to America, to all the nations of the EU, and to the world. Today, we are launching negotiations on Open Skies, have agreed to accelerate the commercial use of multilateral agreement to ban market-distorting steel subsidies, and agreed on the importance of making the upcoming World Trade Organization meeting a success.