Brussels, 15/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - In Luxembourg on Monday 15 June, EU foreign ministers adopted a joint statement with the United States setting out the conditions for the transfer of former detainees from Guantanamo to Europe. The statement forms the external chapter of the European strategy to support US efforts to close the Guantanamo detention camp by 22 January 2010 (see EUROPE 9914). The text reaffirms that “the primary responsibility for closing Guantanamo and finding residence for the former detainees rests with the United States”. A previous version said that the Americans acknowledged their responsibility in accepting some former detainees who wished to enter the US. This was removed to avoid any further controversy in the United States. According to the statement, the decision for taking in former prisoners was a matter solely for member states, which would negotiate bilaterally with the United States. The US will also consider, on a case-by-case basis, providing financial assistance to countries which decided to take in former detainees. “By supporting the US determination to shut down Guantanamo, the EU hopes to contribute to changing US policies and to help the United States turn the page,” the Czech Presidency of the EU says in a press release. Both partners hope that this text will mark a new beginning in future anti-terrorist cooperation, “based on shared values, international law and respect for the rule of law and human rights”. To this end, the statement reaffirms the desire shared by the EU and the US to deepen transatlantic cooperation in the area of freedom, security and justice, including cooperation in the fight against terrorism and cross border crime, police and judicial cooperation, travel facilitation, data exchange for law enforcement purposes and data protection. (B.C./transl.rt)