Press Release M-NAC- 2(2000)121 Report on Options for Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBMs), Verification, Non-Prolife- ration, Arms Control and Disarmament December 2000

5. NATO's Role in the Future : Options for CSBMs, Verification, Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament 5.4. Building Confidence Through Consultations with Partners and Dialogue Countries   5.4.1. Consultations with Russia The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) was established under the NATO-Russia Founding Act of May 1997. The Founding Act provides for regular meetings of the PJC at ambassadorial level as well as bi-annual meetings at the level of Foreign Ministers. Its purpose is to provide a venue for consultation, co-operation and consensus-building in discussions of political and security matters. In this context, it has been agreed that NATO member states and Russia will meet - at expert level - to discuss political and defence efforts against proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and their delivery means, including discussion of current risks. It has also been agreed that experts will consult on defence-related questions, including information regarding threat perceptions, the development of common language and terminology on WMD proliferation topics, and defence responses to WMD proliferation threats. NATO-Russia expert level consultations on proliferation have, to date, included very productive discussions on defence issues related to proliferation, as well as more in-depth consultations on specific proliferation risks. A longer term work programme for consultations is currently being developed with Russia; it is envisaged that this programme will include key questions on nuclear, biological, chemical weapons and delivery means.