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Updated: 19 January 2000 Press Statement

16 Feb. 2000

Joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the
Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, in Moscow
on 16 February 2000

NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson met with Russian Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov and Defence Minister Igor D. Sergeyev. Lord George Robertson was also received by Acting President Vladimir V. Putin. They candidly discussed a wide range of topics and in particular NATO-Russia relations.

NATO and Russia are fully determined to contribute to building a stable and undivided Europe, whole and free, to the benefit of all its peoples. In this context, they affirm that they will observe in good faith their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, provisions and principles contained in the Helsinki Final Act and the OSCE Charter for European Security. They will promote the strengthening of security in the Euro-Atlantic area on the basis of the Founding Act and through cooperation within the Permanent Joint Council.

NATO and Russia welcome the Agreement on the Adaptation of the CFE Treaty that will, together with the commitments undertaken in the CFE Final Act, ensure the continuing viability of the CFE Treaty.

While continuing their cooperation in the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina (SFOR), NATO and Russian forces in Kosovo are working together in KFOR toward the full implementation of UNSCR 1244, to which both NATO and Russia are committed.

NATO and Russia will work to intensify their dialogue in the Permanent Joint Council. They agreed that Russia and NATO would pursue a vigorous dialogue on a wide range of security issues that will enable NATO and Russia to address the challenges that lie ahead and to make their mutual cooperation a cornerstone of European security.