Press Statement
NATO-Russia
Permanent Joint Council
Meeting at Ministerial Level
held in Brussels
on 15 December 2000
The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) met at the level of Foreign
Ministers on Friday, 15 December 2000 in Brussels.
Ministers welcomed the progress achieved in NATO-Russia dialogue and
cooperation since their meeting in Florence in May and reaffirmed their
commitment to build, within the framework of the PJC, a strong, stable
and equal partnership in the interest of security and stability in the
Euro-Atlantic area, as enshrined in the NATO-Russia Founding Act.
Ministers reviewed the situation in the former Yugoslavia. They welcomed
the peaceful democratic changes that have taken place in the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia and discussed their positive impact on the region. They
noted with satisfaction the high degree of common ground achieved through
the good cooperation between the contingents of NATO and Russia in theatre.
They also noted the useful exchanges held at PJC meetings at Ambassadorial
level. In this context, they reconfirmed their determination to implement
the Dayton Peace Accords and UNSCR 1244 in all its aspects, including
the provisions regarding the reaffirmation of the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the FRY and substantial autonomy and meaningful self-administration
for Kosovo. Ministers condemned continuing acts of violence and extremism
directed against minority communities. They underlined that provocations
and other attempts to undermine the peace process will not be tolerated.
They agreed that the recent encouraging changes in the region offer new
prospects of lasting stability and further progress towards regional integration.
Ministers noted a Progress Report on the implementation of the PJC Work
Programme for the remainder of 2000 and expressed their satisfaction with
the broad range of issues addressed in the PJC since the Florence meeting.
These subjects of direct interest to both NATO and Russia included, inter
alia, strategy and doctrine, arms control, proliferation, military infrastructure,
nuclear weapons issues, the retraining of discharged military personnel
and search and rescue at sea.
To reinforce the positive momentum achieved over the past months, Ministers
approved a constructive PJC Work Programme for 2001 that includes additional
areas. It will constitute the overall guidance for NATO-Russia consultation
and cooperation during the next year.
In particular, Ministers welcomed the approval of a Work Programme and
the notation of a status report on cooperation on search and rescue at
sea by the PJC at the level of Defence Ministers on 5 December 2000. Ministers
highlighted cooperation in this field as a promising area of cooperation.
Ministers exchanged letters on the establishment of a NATO Information
Office in Moscow. Ministers underlined the important role the NATO Information
Office will play in improving public understanding of the evolving relations
between NATO and Russia. Ministers underscored that it should contribute
to further strengthen the cooperation and partnership between NATO and
Russia.
Ministers took note of the decision by PJC Defence Ministers on 5 December
2000 to consult on the opening of a NATO Military Liaison Mission in Moscow.
Ministers further noted the report presented to the PJC by the NATO-Russia
Joint Scientific and Technological Co-operation Committee. They emphasised
their expectation that cooperation under the MoU on Scientific and Technological
Co-operation between NATO and the Ministry of Science and Technology of
the Russian Federation will continue to develop in an encouraging manner.
Ministers discussed common approaches developed in the PJC Working Group
on Peacekeeping.
Ministers looked forward to an early signing of the NATO-Russia Memorandum
of Understanding on Environmental Protection.
Ministers agreed to maintain the positive momentum as demonstrated during
this meeting in Brussels. They will review NATO-Russia consultation and
cooperation under the Founding Act at the next PJC meeting at the level
of Foreign Ministers in 2001.
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