NATO`s new prospects for relations with Russia03.08.09 15:01NATO`s new 12th leader calls upon Russia to carry out the international obligations regarding Georgia. Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at his press conference that Moscow should respect territorial integrity and political freedom of its neighbouring countries. The Secretary General also said one of his priorities would be improving ties with Russia, though he admitted there would be difficulties. As the first anniversary of a brief war between Russia and Georgia looms, Mr. Rasmussen said the conflict had had a `very negative impact of relations between NATO and Russia`. `I am not a dreamer. It is obvious that there will be fundamental issues on which we disagree. We have to insist for example that Russia fully complies with its international obligations, including respecting territorial integrity and political freedom of its neighbors,” Rasmussen said in his opening remarks at the news conference. `But we can not let those areas of disagreement poison the whole relationship,` he added. NATO`s new leader said the differences between the alliance and Moscow should not overshadow common security concerns, such as terrorism. `However, I consider it a very important challenge for me to convince the Russian people and Russian leadership that NATO is not an enemy of Russia, NATO is not directed against Russia`, Mr. Rasmussen said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, in a similar way to his predecessor, he will continue with an open-door policy for the Alliance, and with developing relations with other institutional or national participants in international relations. |
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