Brussels, 21/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EU/US Summit (see other article) finished on Monday in Washington with the adoption of eight common declarations on: 1) reinforcing trans-Atlantic economic integration. The two sides are still committed to reducing the barriers to trade and investment and create over the next few years a genuine “trans-Atlantic market”. The summit highlighted regulatory cooperation, opening up of the financial and public procurement markets, protection of intellectual copyright, mutual recognition of vocational qualifications in services. Precise work programmes will be elaborated over the next six months and progress reports will be presented at each annual summit. Washington and Brussels also want WTO negotiations to conclude with ambitious results “before the end of 2006”; 2) strengthening of cooperation in non-proliferation and fighting terrorism; promotion of peace, stability, prosperity and good governance in Africa; 4) the fight against global piracy and counterfeiting; 5) promotion of democracy and freedom, Rule of law and human rights in the whole world; 6) 60th anniversary of signing of San Francisco Charter (UN). The two sides reiterated their attachment to “noble principles and values” contained in the Charter and called on the nations of the world to “define a new international consensus on ways and means of jointly managing pressing problems of our epoch”; 7) Middle East. The EU and USA are ready to take advantage, together with the partners of the region, of the current opportunities for creating a climate of confidence and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. Underlining “the importance of a complete and peaceful withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and certain parts of the north of the West Bank, in accordance with the Road Map”, the Europeans and Americans are calling on the different parties to “refrain from taking any unilateral action that could prejudice questions on the final status”; 8) non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We will be publishing the most important parts in our EUROPE/Documents.
The European delegation (led by Jean-Claude Juncker, José Manuel Barroso and Javier Solana) also discussed other international subjects with President Bush: Afghanistan, China, Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, Georgia, Balkans and crisis in Darfur. Addressing the press, Mr Bush congratulated the Europeans on their commitment in favour of a diplomatic solution on the Iranian nuclear programme, while underlining that the USA would not tolerate any developments in nuclear weapons