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Rasmussen optimistic about Russia-NATO ties

RIA Novosti

12:42 19/11/2010 RIA Novosti interview with NATO Chief Rasmussen - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is attending the summit of the Russia-NATO Council on November 20 for the first time since the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, which soured Russia's relations with the alliance. In an interview with RIA Novosti, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen outlines his views on the future of Russia-NATO relations.

Why is the forthcoming summit of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) so important?

It will certainly be a summit that marks a fresh start in our relations. Since the establishment of the NRC in 2002 at the summit in Rome, of which I was a participant, we have only held one NRC summit in 2008 in Bucharest.

I was very heartened by the approach of President Medvedev during our meeting in Moscow. He agrees with me that the Lisbon summit provides the Allies and Russia with an opportunity to build a modern, durable and long-term strategic partnership.

How do you view the future of NATO-Russia relations? What do you mean when you talk about the modernization of mutual relations?

After what I expect will be a very successful NRC summit, we should certainly continue to deepen our political dialogue and implement the cooperation projects we will agree in Lisbon as part of our Joint Review of the common security challenges. That will ensure solid foundations for the broader practical cooperation which our partnership can produce through the NRC, including on Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and counter-piracy. I hope in particular that NATO and Russia will be moving forward on missile defense cooperation. All these steps clearly signify a modernization of our relations.

What kind of relationship do you have with the Russian leadership now?

Personally warm, professionally productive. I value the modern and fresh approach to NATO shown by President Medvedev. And my working sessions and telephone calls with [Foreign] Minister Lavrov, of which there have been many in the past months are always positive and productive. I know Prime Minister Putin quite well from many years of cooperation. We’ve always had very straightforward discussions.

What kind of support do you expect Russia to give to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission?

We are currently discussing three elements of this support. One, we hope to finalize an understanding to broaden the existing agreement on transit. It could allow for land movements across Russia both to and from Afghanistan. And the list of approved goods could also be enlarged. Second, we can help the Afghan armed forces operate their helicopter fleet more efficiently, by offering helicopter training and spare parts. Third, we will most certainly increase the scope of our joint training for counter-narcotics experts from Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

All of the above is possible because we share an interest in stabilizing Afghanistan.

What kind of relations will NATO have with Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO troops from that country?

First, we are not talking about withdrawal now but about transition. I hope that the process can start early next year. By 2014 the aim is to have Afghans in the lead throughout the country when it comes to responsibility for security.

Second, in Lisbon, we intend to conclude with the Afghan government an agreement on long-term partnership, which will endure, even after the end of our combat mission.

Will there be room for compromise between NATO and Russia on the CFE Treaty? Is the Alliance ready to make concessions to Russia on this issue?

We consider the CFE to be a pillar of European Security, an essential instrument for increasing transparency and predictability in Europe. That is why we would very much like to see a strengthened and modernized CFE regime. There have been a number of important discussions on this issue in Vienna with the aim of agreeing on a framework of principles to guide future negotiations. I believe that all participants are interested in finding appropriate solutions to resolve the outstanding problems.

What is meant by the phrase "new NATO"? Why did NATO introduce a policy of global partnership?

New NATO means a more effective Alliance tackling the most relevant and current security challenges, such as cyber attacks or missile threats, and addressing them with greater focus. It means a more engaged NATO, open to deeper partnerships in a wider world, including with Russia. And for me it certainly means a more efficient organization, reforming its civilian and military structures, spending scarce budgetary resources better.

As you can see, partnerships are a key element of new NATO’s DNA. Cooperating with international organizations, with many countries inside and outside the traditional Euro-Atlantic area, is a real necessity driven by the very nature of contemporary security challenges. I think that our multinational operation in Afghanistan, conducted on the basis of a UN Security Council resolution, bringing together units from almost 50 countries, supplemented by development efforts run and financed by the whole international community, is an illustration of the value of partnerships.