NATO-Russia Council at the level of Chiefs of Staff

On 14 November 2007 General Yuri Baluyevskyi, Chief of General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, took part in a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) at the level of Chiefs of Staff and also held a bilateral meeting with General Raymond Henault, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

We had a useful session with Russian Chief of Defence Gen. Baluyevskyi,” said Henault. “We exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and common interest, including the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty. This is a substantive forum for discussing military-to-military cooperation initiatives, and to set the focus, direction and pace of future cooperative efforts. Overall, the number of collective military ventures may be down, but we remain pleased at the results of initiatives we have undertaken together. This includes Russia’s continued participation in NATO’s counter-terrorism mission [in the Mediterranean], and our counter-narcotics training efforts for Afghanistan, as two examples.”

All aspects of NATO-Russia cooperation were analysed in detail at the NRC-MR/CS meeting, and participants noted that this cooperation was developing in a very constructive and dynamic way.

General Baluyevsky highlighted some results of joint activities in the framework of the NRC this year. He mentioned in particular the second Russian patrol ship, the Ladny, participating in Operation Active Endeavour, and a number of joint activities aimed at enhancing the interoperability of NATO and Russian forces.

Participants also reviewed implementation of the NRC Work Plan of Military Representatives and Chiefs of Staff for 2007, and approved a similar work plan for 2008 and beyond.

The meeting with General Raymond Henault included an exchange of views on the prospects for NATO-Russia cooperation. It was agreed that military cooperation should be developed further.

The next meeting of the NRC at the level of Chiefs of Staff is scheduled for 14-15 May 2008