Camp David, 26/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - At the end of their summit at Camp David on Saturday, George W. Bush and Tony Blair adopted a joint statement which provided the new President of the United States with an opportunity to speak out in favour of the initiatives taken by the EU in view of developing its security and defence policy (Esdp). The British Prime Minister assured me that Esdp would not undermine NATO, that there would be a joint command and that planning (of any EU operations) would take place within the Alliance, Mr. Bush told the press.
In their joint statement, Bush and Blair say: "We support efforts of NATO's European members and other European nations to assume greater responsibility for crisis management in Europe by strengthening NATO's capabilities and developing the ability to manage efforts where NATO as a whole chooses not to engage. In this regard, the United States welcomes the EU's European Security and Defence Policy, intended to make Europe a stronger, more capable partner in deterring and managing crises affecting the security of the Transatlantic community. The United Kingdom is committed to taking Esdp forward on the basis agreed by the EU at the recent Nice Summit".