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Nato chief reaches out to Russia Nato chief reaches out to Russia
(42 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. Mr Rasmussen was speaking in Brussels 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. He urged the US, Nato and Russia to study a joint missile defence system.
"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," he said.
"We should explore the potential for linking the US, Nato and Russia missile defence systems at an appropriate time." "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."
He added that there should be more co-operation over policy on Afghanistan, which was important for both Nato and Russia. The former Danish prime minister, who took over as Nato's head in August, also called for Moscow's co-operation on Afghanistan and Iran.
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".
Pressure on IranPressure 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. 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.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said it was a "correct and brave" decision. Mr Rasmussen called on Moscow for a "genuine new beginning in our relationship, in our own interests and that of the entire international community".
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?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.
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.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday welcomed President Barack Obama's shift in US missile defence strategy as a "correct and brave" decision.
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.
After the US decision was announced on Thursday, Russia's ambassador to Nato said Moscow would not deploy short-range missiles in its Baltic enclave Kaliningrad.
"If we have no radars or no missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland, we don't need to find some response," said the envoy, Dmitry Rogozin.
He welcomed Mr Rasmussen's call for a strategic partnership with Russia as "very positive, very constructive".
Afghanistan co-operation
Mr Rasmussen said tackling the proliferation of ballistic missile technology was in the fundamental strategic interests of both Nato and Russia.
Rasmussen called for more pressure from Moscow on Iran's nuclear plans
Russia should put "maximum political and diplomatic pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear aspirations", he added.
There should also be more co-operation over policy on Afghanistan, which was important for both Moscow and Nato, 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.