11-13 Dec. 2003

Joint Russia-NATO workshop on proliferation held in Poland News 4/12/03 - NATO A “new spirit” of cooperation between NATO and Russia Background NATO-Russia cooperation From 11 to 13 December 2003, experts on proliferation issues from NATO member countries and Russia met at a workshop in Pultusk, Poland, to explore opportunities for practical cooperation in the protection against chemical and biological weapons. The workshop, held in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, and hosted by the Polish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, was attended by over 60 experts on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The experts discussed the various aspects related to the protection against chemical and biological weapons, covering topics such as disease surveillance, chemical and biological defence, biosafety, medical countermeasures, and nuclear, biological and chemical defence training. At the December meetings of the NATO-Russia Council at the level of Foreign and Defence Ministers, it was agreed to continue to expand the current NATO-Russia non-proliferation dialogue in support of efforts against proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical agents and their means of delivery, and to further explore possibilities for practical cooperation in 2004. The December workshop in Pultusk was the first time that NATO and Russian experts discussed these issues in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council. In early 2004, representatives from capitals will consider lessons learned from the workshop and continue to explore possibilities for practical cooperation. A list with specific options for practical cooperation will be developed and presented to the NATO-Russia Council.