3 Dec. 2008
Allied foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on 2 and 3 December, stressed the importance of NATO's relationship with Russia. They also reiterated their negative assessment of some recent actions and statements made by the Russian authorities.
In particular Allies called upon Russia to respect international values and principles on which international security system is based, to implement fully the commitments agreed with Georgia and to refrain from confrontational statements and threats to the security of Allies and partners.
Emphasising that no business as usual has been conducted in the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) since August – thus leading to a limited scope of current practical cooperation - Allies agreed to a measured and phased approach in the near future. The elements of this approach consist of mandating the Secretary General to re-engage with Russia at the political level and expressing willingness to undertake informal discussions in the NRC.
