July 24, 2007 :: Interfax :: News
Interfax interviewed NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer about NATO-Russian relations and Russia's recent suspension of its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty. Scheffer reiterated NATO's disappointment with Russia's suspension, and voiced his hope that NATO and Russia could find common ground on the landmark treaty for the sake of European security.
[The] Allies did express disappointment and concern with the unilateral decision of Russia. They also reiterated their full commitment to the CFE regime and called upon all signatories to continue implementing fully all the obligations under the CFE Treaty and associated documents. At the same time we have invited Russia for a constructive and creative dialogue on this important issue. The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) framework—that has served us so well over the last five years— can also play a helpful role... the CFE Treaty is such an important document and represents years of extensive negotiations and discussions that there is every reason to strive—on all sides—for preserving this landmark Treaty and bringing the Adapted CFE Treaty into force. Don't forget also that the Adapted Treaty reflect not the realities of the bygone, bloc to bloc era, but those of the new cooperative security situation in Europe.
(Article)
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