NATO-Russia Council defence ministers meet in Seville

They discussed international security issues of mutual interest as well as the status of NATO-Russia defence and military cooperation and prospects for further deepening work in this area. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on key issues including missile defence, Iraq, and Kosovo.

Reviewing ongoing work under the NRC, ministers expressed general satisfaction with achievements in key areas including the counter-narcotics training pilot project for personnel from Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, the Cooperative Airspace Initiative, NATO-Russia cooperation in theatre-missile defence, and defence reform . They also highlighted the importance of NRC cooperation in the fight against terrorism including Russian support for Operation Active Endeavour (OAE), NATO's maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean. Russia became the first non-NATO nation to contribute forces to OAE in 2005 when the Black Sea Fleet Frigate Pitliviy deployed with NATO ships in September 2006. Minister Sergey Ivanov announced plans for a second Russian contribution to OAE later this year for which preparations will get underway shortly.

Allied ministers were encouraged to hear from Minister Ivanov that he expected the Status of Forces Agreement, signed by Foreign Minster Sergey Lavrov in April 2005, to be forwarded to the Russian parliament for consideration for ratification later this year. This would pave the way for enhanced practical military cooperation in training, exercises and operations.

Looking forward to the NATO-Russia anniversaries coming up this summer -- which will mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the NATO-Russia Founding Act and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the NATO-Russia Council -- ministers pointed out that these events would provide a good opportunity to re-energise the NATO-Russia partnership.