Joint Statements
Joint Statement on Status of Bratislava Nuclear Security Initiatives (November 09, 2005)
By Chairmen of the Senior Interagency Group
Samuel Bodman, U.S. Secretary of Energy
Aleksandr Rumyantsev, Director of the RF Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom)
During the February 2005 meeting in Bratislava, Presidents George Bush and Vladimir Putin recognized the special responsibility of both Governments to secure nuclear weapons and fissile material to prevent the possibility that such weapons or materials could fall into the hands of terrorists. The Presidents established a bilateral Senior Interagency Working Group to address issues of cooperation on nuclear security. That group is charged with reporting on the status of cooperation to the Presidents. The first report was issued in June of 2005 and the second is due in December.
Both the U.S. and Russian Chairs of this working group are pleased to announce that progress is being made under the Bratislava Nuclear Security Initiative and expect a full report to be completed for transmittal to Presidents Bush and Putin by 15 December 2005.
The report will reflect the progress of work to date and the implementation of tasks specific to the February 2005, Bratislava joint statement, as well as intentions for future activities in these areas.
The work being done under this initiative is of utmost importance for U.S., Russian and world security. It is the intention of both sides to continue cooperation under this Initiative for the foreseeable future and to provide the Presidents of the United States and the Russian Federation with periodic reports on progress made.