Russia and NATO to hold joint military exercises in
2004
February 09, 2004 Posted: 14:35 Moscow time (10:35
GMT)
MUNICH - Speaking at a press
conference in Munich, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Russia and
NATO would arrange large joint military exercises in 2004. He spoke highly of
Russia-NATO cooperation in 2003, noting that Russia did not feel isolated from
the NATO under the leadership of Sir George Robertson, who resigned from as NATO
Secretary General late last year.
Other achievements made by Russian and NATO experts include progress made in anti-missile defense equipment; development of operational compatibility of military units. “This all is happening with consideration of Russia and NATO mutual interests”, he noted.
Also, Russia and NATO had more than 20 joint military exercises on Russian territory as well as on territories of the alliance members in 2003, Ivanov said. As an example, he cited Russian and French submarines’ joint exercises in 2003. “A number of very serious joint military programs is planned by the Russia-NATO Council, and also on bilateral basis,” he said.
Ivanov further said that Moscow is currently advocating signing an agreement governing the status of the forces to be used in such joint exercises, which will allow Russian and NATO servicemen and military equipment to move freely across Russia and Western European countries during joint operations and exercises, Izvestia reports.
The Russia Journal
Other achievements made by Russian and NATO experts include progress made in anti-missile defense equipment; development of operational compatibility of military units. “This all is happening with consideration of Russia and NATO mutual interests”, he noted.
Also, Russia and NATO had more than 20 joint military exercises on Russian territory as well as on territories of the alliance members in 2003, Ivanov said. As an example, he cited Russian and French submarines’ joint exercises in 2003. “A number of very serious joint military programs is planned by the Russia-NATO Council, and also on bilateral basis,” he said.
Ivanov further said that Moscow is currently advocating signing an agreement governing the status of the forces to be used in such joint exercises, which will allow Russian and NATO servicemen and military equipment to move freely across Russia and Western European countries during joint operations and exercises, Izvestia reports.
The Russia Journal
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Russia is ready to compromise but expects return actions from EU
February 04, 2004 Posted: 18:13 Moscow time (14:13
GMT)
MOSCOW - Russia is ready for
constructive dialog with EU, but counts on its return actions and accounting of
its interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today, talking with
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franko Frattini in Kremlin.
“We are ready to a positive constructive dialog. We are ready to compromise. I think that in the course of negotiations we will not once demonstrate our good will and such signs will be clear and evident,” President said. “We are not targeting any exclusive relationship with EU, but we would like to build our relationship at a good-neighborly basis with accounting each other’s interests”.
Russian president expressed his hope for realization of Italian government ideas regarding Russia. “If this happens, Russia and Europe will create a real European space – economic and humanitarian”, Putin said. “All those living in Europe will benefit from this”, he noted. “We understand the problem and do not set impossible tasks. We will move together step by step”, president stressed.
Putin also noted that Russia will develop its cooperation with Italy in all aspects, including cooperation of both countries military and law-enforcement institutions, Izvestia reports.
The Russia Journal
“We are ready to a positive constructive dialog. We are ready to compromise. I think that in the course of negotiations we will not once demonstrate our good will and such signs will be clear and evident,” President said. “We are not targeting any exclusive relationship with EU, but we would like to build our relationship at a good-neighborly basis with accounting each other’s interests”.
Russian president expressed his hope for realization of Italian government ideas regarding Russia. “If this happens, Russia and Europe will create a real European space – economic and humanitarian”, Putin said. “All those living in Europe will benefit from this”, he noted. “We understand the problem and do not set impossible tasks. We will move together step by step”, president stressed.
Putin also noted that Russia will develop its cooperation with Italy in all aspects, including cooperation of both countries military and law-enforcement institutions, Izvestia reports.
The Russia Journal
Source URL: http://www.russiajournal.com/news/cnews-article.shtml?nd=42382
