NATO, Russia renew top-level military ties - Summary

Tue, 26 Jan 2010

Brussels - NATO and Russia on Tuesday renewed the top-level formal military ties that the alliance broke off after Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008, in a further sign of the improving relations between the former Cold War foes. The two sides are at odds over a range of strategic issues, most notably concerning their relations with former-Soviet states such as Georgia and Ukraine, but they are also seeking more cooperation on issues such as counter-terrorism.

The head of NATO's military committee, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, met the chief of Russia's defense staff, General Nikolai Makarov, at the alliance's Brussels headquarters, NATO officials confirmed.

The two men then headed into a meeting with the chiefs of staff of all 28 NATO members, to discuss military cooperation in the coming years.

"All 29 members exchanged views on military cooperation and the way ahead for practical activities in the field of logistics, combating terrorism, search and rescue at sea, and counter-piracy," a statement issued by NATO read.

They also agreed to start drawing up "a work plan of military cooperative activities," and to meet again in May.

It is the first time that the chiefs of staff of NATO and Russia have met since May 2008. In August of that year, Russia invaded NATO hopeful Georgia in retaliation for a Georgian attack on the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

NATO responded by breaking off formal military ties.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/305968,nato-russia-renew-top-level-military-ties--summary.html.