Nato’s top diplomat has called for an “open-minded and unprecedented dialogue” with Russia to reduce security tensions in Europe and confront common threats.
As he prepares for an effort to engage Moscow on European security, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who took over as secretary-general a month ago, said he wanted to begin an “open and frank conversation [with the Kremlin] that creates a new atmosphere”.
In an interview, the former Danish prime minister also said climate change could lead to conflict as countries battled for scarce resources, including those in the Arctic.
He admitted that differences remained between the western alliance and Russia on issues including the aftermath of last year’s conflict in Georgia and Nato’s possible enlargement to the republic and Ukraine.
But Mr Fogh Rasmussen had a “vision” of a “true strategic partnership” in which both sides collaborated on Afghanistan, terrorism and piracy.
“Russia should realise that Nato is here and that Nato is a framework for our transatlantic relationship,” he said. “But we should also take into account that Russia has legitimate security concerns.”
Source/Full Story:: FT.com
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