Press Statement 21 Oct. 1998

Press Statement NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council Meeting At Ambassadorial Level 21 October 1998 The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) at Ambassadorial level met on Wednesday, 21 October 1998 at NATO Headquarters. Ambassadors discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo. NATO and Russia supported the aims of securing a political solution to the crisis based on strict compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1160 and 1199 and of averting a humanitarian catastrophe. In this context they discussed ways to cooperate in supporting the international verification missions for Kosovo. Ambassadors discussed the contribution by NATO and Russia and the role of the PJC in creating a security architecture in the Euro-Atlantic region, taking into account OSCE activities in this field. NATO and Russia continued the exchange of information and consultations on strategy, defence policy, military doctrines as well as budgets and infrastructure development programmes initiated in the PJC on 20 May 1998. Ambassadors received a briefing on the meeting of military representatives under the auspices of the PJC held on 8 October 1998. The next meeting of the PJC is scheduled for 27 November 1998.