Monday, February 20, 1995

 

ISSN: 0511-4187; Volume v31; Issue n7

 

Joint statement on relations between the United States of America and the

Republic of Bulgaria. (Transcript)

Total number of pages for this article: 2 FULL TEXT

 

 

� February 13, 1995

 

 

� At the invitation of President Bill Clinton, President Zhelyu Zhelev

visited Washington, meeting with President Clinton at the White House on

February 13.

 

 

� President Clinton and President Zhelev stressed the value of the close

cooperation established over the past five years in maintaining regional

stability and supporting Bulgaria's democratic and market economic

transformation. They agreed that relations between the two countries

rest on the values of democracy and human rights. President Clinton

noted that the security of Bulgaria and the other Central European

democracies is inseparably linked to that of the United States and

praised Bulgaria's balanced and constructive policy in the Balkans.

 

 

� Both Presidents noted the importance of continued implementation of

Bulgaria's market economic reforms. In this context, they noted the need

for Bulgaria to solidify its efforts at stabilization, to accelerate

implementation of privatization and to complete the legal and regulatory

conditions necessary to a market economy. President Clinton offered

continued U.S. assistance to support Bulgaria's efforts in this

direction. As part of the planned 1995 $30 million U.S. foreign

assistance program in Bulgaria, President Clinton told President Zhelev

of a new $7 million loan program designed to support small and

medium-sized private businesses, especially in rural areas.

 

 

� Recognizing the significant cost to Bulgaria of enforcing United

Nations sanctions against Serbia/Montenegro, President Clinton and

President Zhelev agreed about the continuing importance Of sanctions as

a key tool to resolving peacefully the conflict in the former

Yugoslavia.

 

 

� President Clinton reaffirmed that the United States will remain

engaged in efforts to improve regional transportation infrastructure in

the southern Balkans, including Bulgaria. The two Presidents agreed that

such projects can help mitigate the interruption of trade routes and

promote regional stability and democracy. President Clinton noted that

he has asked Congress for $30 million for this regional project.

 

 

� The United States and Republic of Bulgaria affirmed their

determination to enhance regional and European stability through support

of the OSCE, United Nations and Partnership for Peace.

 

 

� Both countries will work to advance Bulgaria's integration into

international and Euro-Atlantic economic and security institutions.

President Clinton and President Zhelev affirmed support for the

Partnership for Peace as the path for all countries of Central Europe

and other Partners who wish to work toward NATO membership. President

Clinton stated that under his Warsaw Initiative the United States will

seek $5 million in security-related assistance for Bulgaria to support

the purposes of the Partnership for Peace plus additional resources to

support security cooperation.

 

 

� Recognizing the international dimension of many crimes, the two

Presidents agreed to deepen cooperation between their respective law

enforcement agencies in the struggle against terrorism and organized

criminal activities including narco-trafficking, money laundering and

smuggling of cultural and historical objects.

 

 

� The two leaders agreed to encourage and promote trade and investment

between their countries, based on market principles. The two nations

intend to work together to create the conditions necessary for such

market cooperation, taking into account such issues as protection of

investments and new technologies, adequate and effective protection of

intellectual property and other elements necessary to a friendly

investment environment. Agreements concerning trade and investment have

already been signed, including a Trade Agreement and Bilateral

Investment Treaty, and the two Presidents placed high priority on the

conclusion of a Treaty on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. Following

the announcement of a new Central Europe Initiative by the U.S.

Export-Import Bank, the Presidents agreed to work to establish a

cooperative financing arrangement to support Bulgarian exports that also

involve U.S. goods and services to third country markets. The two

Presidents agreed that this initiative could help create jobs in both

Bulgaria and the United States.

 

 

� President Clinton recognized the importance of the removal of Bulgaria

from application of the provisions of Title IV of the U.S. Trade Act of

1974 (the Jackson-Vanik Amendment). The U.S. Administration has made

determinations that Bulgaria is in full compliance with Title IV

criteria and will consult with the U.S. Congress concerning legislation

to remove Bulgaria from application of Title IV at an early date.

 

 

� Both Presidents agreed to support ongoing educational and cultural

projects such as the American University in Blagoevgrad and to seek to

conclude and implement a Science and Technical Agreement.

 

 

� Through cooperation to advance common political, economic, security

and humanitarian interests, the United States and the Republic of

Bulgaria continue to build a strong and enduring relationship.

 

 

� NOTE: An original was not available for verification of the content of

this joint statement.