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Updated: 19-Mar-2007 NATO Topics

NATO-Russia relations

Building a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic area

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News, speeches and official texts on NATO-Russia cooperation

NATO member states and Russia regularly consult on current security issues and are developing practical cooperation in a wide range of areas of common interest.

The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) was established in May 2002 as the main forum for advancing NATO-Russia relations, in which the 26 Allies and Russia work together as equal partners to identify and pursue opportunities for joint action.

The decision to establish the NRC was taken in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, which reinforced the need for coordinated action to respond to common threats. It signalled the determination to give the NATO-Russia partnership new impetus and substance, and demonstrated the shared resolve of NATO member states and Russia to work more closely together towards the common goal of building a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic Area.

This goal was first expressed in the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security, which provides the formal basis for NATO-Russia relations.

What does this mean in practice?

The Allies and Russia will not always agree on everything and differences remain on some issues, which may take time to resolve. However, the driving force between the new spirit of cooperation is the realisation that they share strategic priorities and face common challenges.

In the framework of the NRC, Russia and NATO member states are developing a continuous political dialogue on current security issues. Constructive political consultations have been held on issues, such as the situation in Afghanistan, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and the “Greater Middle East” concept. Practical cooperation, directed by the NRC and developed through various subordinate working groups and committees, is already generating concrete benefits in many key areas.

To facilitate cooperation, Russia has established a diplomatic mission to NATO and Russian Military Branch Offices have been set up at NATO’s two top military command headquarters. In Moscow, a NATO Information Office seeks to explain NATO and promote the benefits of the NATO-Russia partnership, and a Military Liaison Mission is helping improve transparency and coordination on the military side.

How did it evolve?

NATO-Russia relations formally began in 1991 at the inaugural session of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council), which was created following the end of the Cold War as a forum for consultation to foster a new cooperative relationship with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It was actually while this meeting was taking place that the Soviet Union dissolved. A few years later, in 1994, Russia joined the Partnership for Peace programme – a major programme of practical security and defence cooperation between NATO and individual Partner countries.

Which bodies have a central role?

The NATO-Russia Council is the principal structure and venue for advancing the relationship between NATO and Russia. It has created several working groups and committees to develop cooperation in key areas.

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