July 7 (LPAC) -- The following statement was released at the
"Lobster Summit" on July 3, following the agreements reached
between Presidents Bush and Putin:
 
JOINT STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE AND
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION SERGEY
LAVROV
 
State Department Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC July 3, 2007
 
The United States and Russia reiterate their intention to
carry out strategic offensive reductions to the lowest possible
level consistent with their national security requirements and
alliance commitments.

To this end, Ministers discussed development of a post-START
arrangement to provide continuity and predictability regarding
strategic offensive forces. Upon instructions of the Presidents,
the sides will continue these discussions with a view toward
early results.

We are fully committed to the goals of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and consider the
arrangement we are pursuing to be a further step in implementing
our commitments under Article VI of the Treaty.