The President of the European Council, Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, briefed the press on the results of the EU-US Summit which took place today in Vienna.
“We had a very fruitful and positive summit touching on a broad range of subjects. We touched on foreign policy issues such as the situation in Iran, Iraq and the Balkans, we spoke about the economic ties between Europe and the US and we also touched on environmental issues. We were able to agree common goals, particularly in the field of energy policy and the protection of intellectual property rights. We supported the USA in the fight against terrorism and in the protection of human rights. We may have different approaches in some respects, but that should never overshadow the depth and quality of our relations”, Schüssel said.
The EU and USA are working together successfully to promote security and stability for people all over the world. There are recent examples of this good cooperation such as Iran, Iraq and the Middle East. Efforts are being made to keep Iran from producing nuclear weapons. "Iran has to make the right choice. We therefore welcome the involvement of the USA. We appreciate the constructive role President Bush has taken in this dialogue. It is also clear with regard to certain other problems that there can only be a political solution based on negotiations. Last week the European Council declared that the European Union will also step up its international engagement”, Chancellor Schüssel said.
The relationship between the EU and the USA is characterised above all by numerous economic ties. In order to intensify cooperation in the area of education, an education agreement was also signed today. This will apply for eight years and continue the long-term cooperation programme in the area of higher education and vocational training. The new agreement will introduce new types of programmes for transatlantic study courses, promote the exchange of students, teachers and other actors, expand the programme and promote greater institutional cooperation in tertiary education.
"We are partners for peace and prosperity. I have always been convinced we can accomplish big deeds if America and the EU work together. The world needs cooperation. There are a lot of challenges”, the President of the United State of America, George W. Bush, said. He thanked the EU for its support in Iraq. He said he understood the differences there had been in some areas. “The past is behind us. Ahead of us lies the goal of bringing a hopeful democracy to the Middle East.” He also praised Austria’s role in the Balkans, which he said was very important for Europe. Bush spoke in favour of eliminating poverty by promoting free trade, and expressed the hope that the WTO negotiating round would be successful.
The US President said he wanted to close Guantanamo. “I want to end it. Our desire is to send the prisoners home.” However, some of those suspected of involvement in terrorism would be tried in the US courts. The US President also expressed optimism in the question of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme: “I am convinced that Iran will work with us if the Iranians see the seriousness of our intent. Europe and the US are working together on solving this issue.”
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, said common strategies for the future had also been discussed at today’s summit. "These talks have shown that the EU and the USA have many common interests. We have agreed strategic cooperation in particular on energy security. We also want to intensify the dialogue on climate protection and to support the use of renewable energy sources”, Barroso said.
The EU itself was a success story in the promotion of democracy. "It has made a decisive contribution to consolidating the rule of law on the European continent. Even with the best intentions, we and the USA together cannot solve all the problems. But if we work together, we will find some of the answers", Barroso said in conclusion.
Vienna Summit Declaration - pdf download
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