NATO secretary general wishes to develop strategic cooperation with Russia

RUSSIA

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen wishes to develop strategic partnership with Russia.

It is necessary to develop strategic partnership with Moscow, Rasmussen said in an interview published by the Friday issue of the newspaper Le Monde.

In his opinion, NATO and Russia face similar threats.

Rasmussen said he had received positive messages from Russia. He also admitted remaining disagreements over Georgia and NATO enlargement.

A team of experts is working on a new strategic concept of the alliance, he said. The concept will succeed to the document elaborated in 1999 and include such threats as sea and cyber piracy and energy security.

It is necessary to make the alliance forces more mobile, as territorial protection of Europe and North America remains the key task of NATO, Rasmussen said.