News Security concerns bring Russia, NATO together in landmark partnership

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NATO and Russian leaders formally inaugurated a partnership aimed at burying one of the last vestiges of Cold War suspicion May 28.

U.S. President George W. Bush attended the NATO-Russia summit, ending a weeklong European trip in which he signed a new arms control treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin and labored to shore up the anti-terror coalition with other European leaders.

"Today marks a historic achievement," Bush said during the opening session of the NATO-Russia Council. "Two former foes are now joined as partners, overcoming 50 years of division and a decade of uncertainty."

"The significance of this meeting is difficult to overestimate," Putin said. "Even only a very short time ago a meeting of this type, bringing together the leaders of Russia and NATO member states ... would have been simply unthinkable."

The new arrangement between NATO and Russia increases Moscow's role in the alliance but falls short of full membership

Unlike full members, Russia does not have a veto over NATO actions, and any NATO nation can unilaterally overrule Russia on any issue

The partnership is expected to lead to greater cooperation in counter-terrorist activities and efforts to halt the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, manage crises and institute arms control measures.

ＮＡＴＯ ロシア理事会創設

ＮＡＴＯ 加盟国とロシアの首脳が5月28日、ＮＡＴＯ ロシア理事会を創設することで合意した。ロシアに拒否権が認められないなどの制約はあるが、今後、ロシアが ＮＡＴＯ の意思決定に加わることになる。これは、冷戦構造からの脱却を象徴する歴史的転換点といえるだろう。

Shukan ST: June 7, 2002

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