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Nato chief reaches out to Russia | Nato chief reaches out to Russia |
(10 minutes later) | |
Nato's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for a new strategic partnership with Russia. | Nato's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for a new strategic partnership with Russia. |
In his first major foreign policy address as Nato chief, Mr Rasmussen called for a "joint review" with Moscow of global security challenges. | In his first major foreign policy address as Nato chief, Mr Rasmussen called for a "joint review" with Moscow of global security challenges. |
He was speaking in Brussels the day after the US announced it was shelving plans for controversial missile defence bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. | He was speaking in Brussels the day after the US announced it was shelving plans for controversial missile defence bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. |
The former Danish prime minister took over as Nato's head in August. | The former Danish prime minister took over as Nato's head in August. |
"I would like Russia and Nato to agree to carry out a joint review of the new 21st Century security challenges, to serve as a firm basis for our future co-operation," said Mr Rasmussen. | "I would like Russia and Nato to agree to carry out a joint review of the new 21st Century security challenges, to serve as a firm basis for our future co-operation," said Mr Rasmussen. |
"We should explore the potential for linking the US, Nato and Russia missile defence systems at an appropriate time." | "We should explore the potential for linking the US, Nato and Russia missile defence systems at an appropriate time." |
He added that there should be more co-operation over policy on Afghanistan, which was important for both Nato and Russia. | He added that there should be more co-operation over policy on Afghanistan, which was important for both Nato and Russia. |
He said that tackling the proliferation of ballistic missile technology was in the fundamental strategic interests of both Nato and Russia. | He said that tackling the proliferation of ballistic missile technology was in the fundamental strategic interests of both Nato and Russia. |
He called on Moscow for a "genuine new beginning in our relationship, in our own interests and that of the entire international community". | He called on Moscow for a "genuine new beginning in our relationship, in our own interests and that of the entire international community". |
Pressure on Iran | Pressure on Iran |
Russia has welcomed President Barack Obama's shift in US missile defence strategy, announced on Thursday, which followed a review of the threat posed by Iran. | Russia has welcomed President Barack Obama's shift in US missile defence strategy, announced on Thursday, which followed a review of the threat posed by Iran. |
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said it was a "correct and brave" decision. | Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said it was a "correct and brave" decision. |
There is no reason to fear these (missile defence) plans will weaken the defence of any ally Anders Fogh Rasmussen Mixed US missile shield reaction A victory for Russian diplomacy? | |
Russia had long objected to plans pursued by the administration of former President George W Bush to base a missile interceptor system close to its borders. | Russia had long objected to plans pursued by the administration of former President George W Bush to base a missile interceptor system close to its borders. |
Mr Rasmussen said he would "expect Russia to put maximum political and diplomatic pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear aspirations". | Mr Rasmussen said he would "expect Russia to put maximum political and diplomatic pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear aspirations". |
Referring to the US missile defence rethink, he said "the new plans will make capabilities ready sooner than the previous plans and will provide us with broader coverage". | Referring to the US missile defence rethink, he said "the new plans will make capabilities ready sooner than the previous plans and will provide us with broader coverage". |
"It will make it possible to include all the allies and protect all the allies. So there is no reason to fear these plans will weaken the defence of any ally. | "It will make it possible to include all the allies and protect all the allies. So there is no reason to fear these plans will weaken the defence of any ally. |
"Improved relations between Nato and Russia will also be to the benefit of our eastern allies," he said. | "Improved relations between Nato and Russia will also be to the benefit of our eastern allies," he said. |
A revitalised Nato-Russia Council would provide "a forum for serious dialogue," he said. | A revitalised Nato-Russia Council would provide "a forum for serious dialogue," he said. |
Asked about Nato expansion, Mr Rasmussen said Georgia and Ukraine would become Nato members as and when they satisfied the necessary criteria, but added that Moscow should not see that as a threat. | Asked about Nato expansion, Mr Rasmussen said Georgia and Ukraine would become Nato members as and when they satisfied the necessary criteria, but added that Moscow should not see that as a threat. |
"We have to provide an atmosphere and security environment within Europe within which the open-door policy can continue, while at the same time ensuring Russia does not feel threatened." | "We have to provide an atmosphere and security environment within Europe within which the open-door policy can continue, while at the same time ensuring Russia does not feel threatened." |
Nato-Russia ties improved after the end of the Cold War but deteriorated as the 28-nation alliance expanded to take in former Soviet bloc countries, and suffered greatly after Russia's brief conflict with Georgia in 2008. | Nato-Russia ties improved after the end of the Cold War but deteriorated as the 28-nation alliance expanded to take in former Soviet bloc countries, and suffered greatly after Russia's brief conflict with Georgia in 2008. |