Opening Remarks and Answers to Questions at a Joint Press Conference with US President George W. Bush.Part 1
October 21, 2001
Shanghai
Заявление для прессы и ответы на вопросы журналистов на совместной пресс-конференции с Президентом США Джорджем Бушем
21 октября 2001 года
Шанхай
PRESIDENT PUTIN: Ladies and gentlemen,
We will brief you about the meeting and talks with the President of the United States. In our opinion, it was a highly productive and useful meeting. Like in our previous talks in Ljubljana and Genoa, it was a frank and trusting conversation. Russian-American cooperation is in a steady uptrend. We respond to the global changes that took place in the world and we consistently strengthen the foundations of our renewed relations. Our strategic priority in the new century is a long-term partnership. A partnership based on the common values of world civilisation. A partnership geared to the common goals of global development and progress. This is the direction we intend to move in. Full-scale talks in the United States are scheduled for November. We will have a detailed review of Russian-American relations and discuss the most significant international issues. Our ministries, agencies and experts in charge of preparing the summit have received corresponding instructions.
The political, economic and psychological consequences of the September 11 tragedy are felt acutely in many countries and practically on all the continents. I think no one has any doubts any longer that the unprecedented challenge of fighting terrorism calls for pooling efforts of the world community. And we have prepared and issued a joint statement on that.
We have made a thorough analysis of the Russian-American dialogue on strategic stability. As you remember, an agreement was reached in Genoa that the interrelated issues of strategic offensive and defensive weapons will be discussed together. In our estimation there is some progress, in the first place as regards strategic offensive weapons. We have reaffirmed our mutual commitment to reducing strategic offensive weapons. Now the task is to determine the parameters of reductions and to put in place a reliable and verifiable mechanism of reducing the nuclear potentials of Russia and the US.
We have also moved forward on the issues of anti-missile defence. I for one believe we have an understanding that we can reach some agreements to meet the national interests of Russia and the United States with due account of the need to strengthen international stability in that important sphere. During the talk we exchanged opinions on acute regional issues: Iraq, the Middle East, the Balkans and others. We are still to discuss Russias relations with NATO.
We attach particular importance to business cooperation with the United States. We agreed in Ljubljana and Genoa that we would pay special attention to that. These agreements are working. Russian-American trade, economic and investment links have greatly expanded. US Secretary of Trade Donald Evans came to Moscow twice during the past months. We have hosted Treasury Secretary Paul ONeil and US trade negotiator Robert Zoellick. I must say that we have received a clear signal from the President of the United States. All our partners have shown a genuine commitment to broadening our relations. The Russian-American business dialogue is moving forward. What is particularly important is that it is gradually bringing in not only major Russian and US companies, but also medium and small businesses. We have agreed to work closely on a concrete plan of economic cooperation. We will discuss it in more detail in November. Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: My administration seeks a new relationship with Russia based on cooperation and mutual interests, instead of confrontation and mutual vulnerability. We must truly and finally move beyond the Cold War. Today, after my third meeting with Vladimir Putin in five months, and after the events of the last five weeks, we can report progress toward that goal - positive progress.
Within hours after September 11th attacks, President Putin called. He extended his sympathy and he extended his support. He did something more. He knew that the American military was moving to high alert status. To simplify our situation, to show solidarity, he ordered Russia's military to stop a set of exercises that were getting underway. America, and I in particular, will remember this act of friendship in a time of need.
Today the world is building a broad international coalition against terrorism, and Russia is taking a full and responsible role in the coalition. Russia is sharing valuable intelligence on terrorist organizations, providing overflight clearance for humanitarian missions, and helping out diplomatically.
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Путин: Россия примет мерыby mger4322,507 views
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