26 June 2003
Watch Tony Blair deliver his opening statement at the press conference:
Read the transcript of the Prime Minister’s and President’s statements
Prime Minister:
Good afternoon. Before beginning my opening statement, let me say incidentally that we only have 35 minutes, the two of us, for the whole of this press conference. Before beginning my opening statement, can I just say a word on the death of Sir Denis Thatcher earlier today. Sir Denis was a kind and generous-hearted man, a real gentleman, someone who had many friends here and abroad. I know how much he meant to Margaret Thatcher and the whole family. I know whatever part of the political spectrum we are on, we would like to send our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Thatcher family.
Can I welcome President Putin here, and say how delighted I am to see him here in London. The last three years have shown a real development in the relationship between Britain and Russia. I would like to think those relations today are probably stronger than they have been for many, many years. Those relationships are political, they are in terms of security, and they are economic relationships. This morning, as you know, we were at an energy summit in which we gave a push forward to the developing energy relationship, the commercial relationship, between Britain and Russia and our companies. That would make Britain the number one investor in Russia, not just in respect to the European Union, but in respect to the whole world.
Whatever the differences there were over Iraq, however, we are working immensely closely on the international stage to confront the issues that are before us: issues to do with international terrorism, issues to do with weapons of mass destruction, issues to do with bringing peace and stability to the world. Amongst the issues we discussed were obviously Iraq, Iran, India and Pakistan, the Middle East peace process; issues to do with the rise of extremism, particularly religious extremism in the world. We discussed, of course, the internal situation in Britain and Russia; we discussed the issues to do with the Russian economy, to do with Chechnya; all those things that you would expect us to cover.
I want to make one general point to you in my opening remarks. I think the leadership of President Putin offers not just tremendous hope for Russia, but also for the wider world. I would pay tribute to him as a partner and as a friend. I am quite sure that it is possible now to see how the international community can come back together and can manage to take forward in a constructive way the huge questions that are before us. I have no doubt at all that those sentiments will be echoed not just around Europe, but right around the world.
So, Vladimir, thank you for having come here for the State Visit, which has been a tremendous success. We are delighted to see you here, and thank you for your constructive friendship and partnership that you have shown during the course of not just the last few days, but also the last few years. It is a pleasure to see you here.
President Putin:
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I would like to express my profound gratitude to Her Majesty for the kind invitation, hospitality, and kind-heartedness with which we saw here. I would like to thank all, and first of all the Prime Minister, for the organisation - I would say the perfect organisation - of the visit and substantial programme. We are moved by the warm feelings we have seen everywhere here. Warm feelings are a tradition for relations between our countries and nations, for our contacts at all levels. Here we see the manifestation of the mutual liking and respect for each other.
We have just finalised our talks with the Prime Minister and I would like to thank my colleague for the course of the discussion. We have had the opportunity to have an eye-to-eye talk. We have talked with the members of the Russian Government and the members of the English Government. We have reaffirmed the strategic character of our partnership. We have confirmed the dynamics of the political dialogue which sets the tone of the whole array of Russian-British interaction. We are also satisfied with the positive changes which occurred in our trade and economic, as well as investment, cooperation. Today, together with the Prime Minister, we participated in the opening session of the energy conference, which has united authoritative experts in this field. It demonstrated the opportunities and prospects of our interaction in this important field. In particular, within the framework of the conference, the memorandum of cooperation on the project to build the North European gas pipeline was signed. Together with the Prime Minister, we expressed our support for this project.
We also welcomed the recent decisions of British Petroleum and Shell Corporation regarding $17 billion in investments to develop the Russian fuel and energy sector. I have had an opportunity to talk to the top managers of both companies, and I would like to say it was not my first meeting with these people. I believe and I hope that their work with the Russian partners on the Russian marketplace and their joint activity on the marketplaces of the third[?] countries will be successful. The implementation of these plans will launch Britain - and the Prime Minister is absolutely right here - will launch Britain to first place as far as the volume of investments in the Russian economy is concerned. At the same time, we talked about the need to cooperate in other areas, particularly in high tech. New opportunities for our exporters in these fields on the market of third countries are opened because of the signature of the agreement between the Vneshtorgbank[?] and the Department of Export Credit Guarantees in the UK. We have managed to reach important agreements on loans in the Vneshtorgbank of Russia.
A particular part of our talk concerned foreign policy problems. We exchanged views and visions about the situation in Iraq. We were talking about our cooperation in other regions in the world: in the Middle East, we are united in our understanding of the importance of a practical implementation of the provisions set forth in the roadmap and the setting up of the appropriate mechanism of monitoring. We have touched upon the Iran subject. I informed the Prime Minister about the skill of the Russian-Iranian cooperation. We were united in the need to further encourage Tehran’s cooperation with IEA. We have similar assessments of the situation in Afghanistan and the prospects of its reestablishment. Among other subjects were - and I would like to confirm - the Southeast subject, the Korean peninsula, the relations of Russia, and the EU and NATO.
Coming to a conclusion, I would like to underline that our meeting was held in a constructive and open atmosphere. I would like to thank again my friend, my colleague, Prime Minister Blair, for the environment he managed to create during this visit. Thank you very much.
Question and Answer Session
Prime Minister:
We’ll take three questions. Bill. Three questions each: British, Russian.
Question:
Prime Minister, on Iraq. A senior military commander this morning offered no explanation for the siege at the police station which resulted in the deaths of six Royal Military policemen. Is it clear to you how and why they died? And secondly, in a country awash with weapons, where many families have traditionally held them, is it wise to continue weapon searches?
Prime Minister:
In respect to the first point, I think at this stage I shouldn’t add anything to what the commanding officers out in the field are saying. We just need to learn and know the facts. There are very obvious reasons why, as Iraq transforms itself into a different type of country, it is important that it is proper law enforcement authorities that carry weapons, not all the citizens of the country. Now, obviously, it is a process of transition that has to be got through there, so these are judgements that have to be made. I think they are best made, frankly, by the commanders on the ground. The other thing that I would say to you is that however difficult the situation in Iraq is, I hope people understand that it is important that Saddam has gone, and it’s important that the whole of the international community now works together to make Iraq a stable, prosperous and democratic country for the future, because that will have an impact far beyond Iraq. If Iraq can be turned into that stable, prosperous and democratic country, then the prospects for the whole of that region and the wider world are improved. That was obviously one of the things we were discussing today: whatever the differences in the past, how Britain and Russia and other key United Nations members can work together in the future.
Question:
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today you spoke at the energy forum about the ‘Great Europe’. Is the UK ready to join to Russian, French and German interaction in the interests of European development on the whole, on the world stage? To the President, the day before yesterday at Buckingham Palace, you said that practice shows that we should act together vis-à-vis Iraq, and then these actions will bring results. Could you tell us what kind of actions should be joint actions? Thank you.
Prime Minister:
First of all, the differences we had over Iraq are a matter of history and record. But the international community came back together again in the United Nations in Resolution 1483, and we all pledged to work together for the future of Iraq. I believe there is a tremendous willingness now in the international community - not just in Europe, but also with Russia, the United States of America, with China, with other key people in the international community - to confront the challenges we have together on a concerted basis.
We are all suffering the prospects of the damage of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. We all need to work together on issues to do with climate change. We all need to make sure that the world economy is strong. We all need to make sure that these trouble spots in the world, whether it’s the Middle East peace process or issues to do with Asia, that these issues are resolved. I am not saying that there won’t be differences in the future that arise, but I am saying that I think, particularly after what we all have been through over Iraq, there is a real sense that I have of the international community pulling back together again and working together. That is vitally important for all of us. As I said a moment or two ago, if we genuinely can transform Iraq into a stable, prosperous and democratic country, that is a tremendous thing for Iraq, the region, the world - and that includes Britain and Russia.
President Putin:
You know that our opinions are not always the same, mine and the Prime Minister’s. If it happens, we are frank with each other: we state our differences, and we don’t hide them from the public, either. At the same time, I fully concur with what the Prime Minister has just said. I am ready to put my name under every word he has uttered here. Indeed, on key issues that we are tackling, today we have come very, very close, and we are ready to work together.
As far as Iraq is concerned, I have always thought, and I can confirm it again, we can and should work together. The best confirmation of that is the latest Resolution passed unanimously in the UN. The Prime Minister has just spoken about that. I must underline that it was a unanimous Resolution. I have already said publicly, and here in London I would like to reiterate it again, the basic parameters of this Resolution were, in fact, agreed between us during the Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow. At that time we couldn’t tell the press about the results of our talks, because it was not clear at that time whether we would be able to convince all the other Security Council members of the validity of our approach. As you know, we succeeded in that to a significant degree. We succeeded during the Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow. On the basis of this Resolution, we are ready and willing to move further.
We talked about political settlement. I think we have a good example for that, we have a good example, a good approach, as to how we can work in Iraq, as well. Our joint operation in Afghanistan is a good example. Everybody knows how decisions were taken there; everyone knows how new authority was organised and legitimised in Afghanistan. I think that could serve as a basis for our joint work on Iraq. It’s no less important to tackle the issues of economic restoration of Iraq. Again, we will work together; we talked about it today. I informed the Prime Minister about the talks I had with the President of the US. There we also find understanding. There are many problems, of course, but, once again, I would like to repeat the thought I already expressed. If we work together, then of course our actions will be more efficient. There is no doubt about that.
Question:
I would like to ask the President, in view of the deepening economic ties between Britain and Russia, and I think both Shell and BP being in favour of British membership of the Euro, how much of a disappointment is it to you that this Government appears to be backing off from taking a decision on the Euro? Also, if I could ask Mr Blair, whether the so-called Blairite cabal that we read about in the Financial Times is actually going to make any practical difference in moving Britain towards the Euro decision?
Prime Minister:
Perhaps I can answer on the British policy first. The Cabinet Committee is a mechanism by which we can make sure that those obstacles that Gordon Brown identified in respect of British membership in the single currency can be dealt with, but it also gives us an opportunity to develop the overall strategy for the Government for Europe. Contrary to what you implied, we have not backed off any decision in relation to the single currency; on the contrary. We have reaffirmed our commitment in principle to go in, provided the economic conditions are in the right place. We have said exactly what those economic conditions are and what needs to happen in order that they come into the right place. I want to make one thing very clear to you. Particularly at the moment, with the dangers our world faces, particularly at the moment in Europe when we have ten new countries coming into the European Union, this is the last time for Britain to walk away from the European Union. Do not underestimate the Government’s determination, and my personal determination, to make sure that Britain plays its full role at the centre of Europe.
In relation to the single currency, we’ve always said, and it’s right - it is an economic union; the economics have got to be in the right place - but don’t either doubt our commitment in principle to joining because it is the right thing for Britain, not just the right thing for Europe, but the right thing for the British national interest.
President Putin:
As far as our attitude to the British Government’s position on the possibility of Britain joining the Euro, I think such questions should better be addressed to those countries that are part of the Eurozone. I think you should have addressed this question to Mr Chirac, Mr Berlusconi, Mr Schroeder and other European leaders. However, of course we have a position; we have an opinion on what is going on in Europe today. I will not duck your question; I will please you with my frankness. We have a strategic view and a pragmatic view to what is going on in Europe. I must say, today, our pragmatic and strategic approaches are experiencing a sudden contradiction with each other because we’re not very keen on the Euro strengthening itself. We’re not very keen on what’s going on today because we sell what we export for Dollars. What we import we pay for in Euros. It would be better for us for the Euro to be weaker and the Dollar to be stronger. But, if we talk about strategic issues, then I must say, if Europe wishes in the future to play a significant and notable role in the world - if Europe doesn’t wish just to survive, if Europe wishes to conquer, to have victories in this increasingly dramatic competitiveness in the global economy, given the fantastic rates of growth of other economies in the world and the big problems of demographic issues in Europe - of course Europe should unite. That is clear. It is also in Russia’s strategic interest, because Russia geographically, mentally, considers itself part of greater Europe. We feel that the European identity is based first and foremost on culture. There is no doubt that Russia belongs to the European culture as part of the world culture. We are an integral part of the European culture. We’ve always made a significant contribution to this culture and this world; we feel part of it. Therefore, we will do everything we can for Russia’s integration into the European economy and to any positive processes which would mean strengthening the European position in the world.
Question:
My question is to the President of Russia. During your present visit to the UK, a lot is being said about economic cooperation, especially in the energy industry. When will we see practical results of your agreements?
President Putin:
Practical results are already there to be seen. Today, we witnessed how trade turnover is growing between our two countries compared to the same few months of last year. Our trade grew by 15%: that’s a very good indicator. Yesterday, I talked in the City about how the number of trading operations in the last month shot up, in fact, doubled. That’s another very good indicator. Finally, we’ve mentioned many times about large British oil companies’ plans to invest in Russia. They’re working, they’re working very successfully, they’re moving on, and today, BP and TNK, a Russian group of companies, signed a document which should form the basis for implementing the agreements we have been talking about.
Question:
A question for both of you, if you please. Mr Putin, you say that in Moscow, you and the Prime Minister were actually in agreement on the terms of the Resolution privately, but you couldn’t say so publicly at that point. What you did say publicly that day was to ridicule the Prime Minister for the fact that weapons of mass destruction were still missing. Have you changed your mind on the importance of that? Prime Minister, in answer to a question in the House of Commons on Wednesday, you were asked if you would ask Mr Putin if Russia could make a contribution now to the post-war reconstruction of Iraq. Did you ask him that question, and what was his response?
President Putin:
I am very sad, very sad, that that is how you interpreted our dialogue in Moscow. I never said anything funny, I never said anything ridiculous at that time. Moreover, at that time and now, I think it is a very important issue. It is one of the issues. We’re not going to bypass any sharp corners, or anything like that. We discussed these matters with the Prime Minister very frankly, then and now. Russia also thought that Iraq might possess weapons of mass destruction, but we did not know it for sure, but we acted on the premise that it was possible, that it could be there. This disarmament dossier should of course be closed. This file has to have a closure. If we don’t know where it was, if it existed, we need to know where it was hidden. We need to know who has access to these weapons, because they are a threat, because certain destructive elements could get their hands on these weapons. That’s why we need to clarify the matter. It’s not a ridiculous matter; there is nothing funny. It is a most serious issue, and I think that those who are today, including British Armed Forces, controlling Iraqi territory, should do everything possible to carry on constructively working on solving this problem and tackling this task. For ourselves, we are willing and happy to make our contribution. Given our possibilities and opportunities in Iraq, we shall cooperate and work very frankly indeed. This is guaranteed, in fact, by improving relationships between our Special Services. They are in direct contact with each other, not just on Afghanistan’s problems, but on the problems of global terrorism and combating global terrorism. We discussed this in great detail with the Prime Minister today. This applies completely and totally to all issues that concern and worry us vis-à-vis Iraq.
Prime Minister:
Yes, we did discuss what contributions and help Russia could make in the context, of course, of the UN Resolution 1483. That gives us a framework within which countries in Europe, Russia and other colleagues throughout the world can make a contribution, and that is important. I think this first became clear at the G8 summit at Evian. As I said, whatever differences on Iraq, everyone recognises the issues to do with terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. We’re all confronting the same questions here. As both our countries have cause to know, there are real and urgent questions to do with terrorists and extremists who will use any type of weapons they can get their hands on to wreak the most destruction they possibly can. This is an issue for Russia, for Britain, for America, for the whole of Europe. Sure, we now have within Resolution 1483 the opportunity for us all to work together in respect of Iraq, but even apart from that, we are working closely together on meeting these twin threats.
If you look around the world today, I think that the fascinating, and dangerous, thing is this: whatever diplomatic issues there have been between our countries, or, say, between Britain and France or whatever, whatever diplomatic difficulties, essentially, we share the same perspective on these questions of extremism and terrorism. We face the same threat. That is the threat today. The threat is not a clash between the big powers in the world, the threat is from these extremists and terrorists, unstable states developing these weapons, and the combination of the two coming together. That’s why it’s important we work together. That’s why it’s important from now on that the international community is united on that basis.
Question:
My question is to Mr Blair. Does Britain have an exact, a certain, plan to settle the situation in Iraq? How do you see your steps to set up a legitimate authority in Iraq? What prevails in London’s foreign policy: European interests, or traditional strong relationships, links with the US?
Prime Minister:
The plan is to work within the coalition, but also with other countries that are assisting us, and of course with the United Nation’s Special Representative Sérgio de Mello to make sure we take the right measures on security, on political reconstruction and on the provision of essential services for people in Iraq. Whatever difficulties there are, we are going to get that job done. We’ve made a commitment to people in Iraq; that commitment is now made on behalf of the whole international community, and we will fulfil it.
The question about our relationship with Europe or America: there is a very common view here, and obviously in Russia, too, that Britain should make some sort of dramatic or fundamental choice between Europe and America. The whole of my political philosophy is based on the fact that that choice is false in the end. We’ve got to get Europe, America, and, indeed, Russia working together. The reason for this is that our relations with America are vitally important; it is a strong historical relationship, but it is also based on values we share and common challenges we face.
In respect of Europe, Britain is part of the continent of Europe; Europe is the key strategic alliance right on our doorstep. Contrary to the view of some people, I see our relationship in Europe and with America not as a threat to us, but as an opportunity. Many countries aren’t fortunate enough to have the possibility of that strong relationship with both Europe and with America. I think in the same way, if I may say this for Russia, Russia has a strong and important relationship with the United States of America, but Russia and Europe are moving closer together. It’s in our interests. If we look at the problems we face in the world today, whether it’s, as I say, the world economy or terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, we’ve got to work together. The idea that we split ourselves up into separate rivals or competitors is not the right way to proceed. I think what you’ve seen in the last few weeks, in my view, both in Europe and here today between Britain and Russia and also in the American engagement with the G8 process is an understanding that there may be different perspectives and different issues, but it’s important on the whole that we work together. For Britain, the more I do this job, the more convinced I am, that for us, we have to keep both alliances in place because they are both vital for our own strategic interests.
Thank you very much.
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