Third summit in the history of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC)

The third summit in the history of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) took place in Lisbon on 20 November 2010. At the end of this historic gathering, President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia and his counterparts from the other 28 NRC member states issued a joint statement.

In this statement, NRC leaders pledged to “work towards achieving a true strategic and modernised partnership based on the principles of reciprocal confidence, transparency, and predictability, with the aim of contributing to the creation of a common space of peace, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.” The NRC Heads of State and Government took a number of important decisions.

First, they endorsed the first ever Joint Review of 21st Century Common Security Challenges, outlining shared views of Russia and Allies on key security questions and ways to address them through practical cooperation.

Second, they agreed on a joint ballistic missile threat assessment and decided to resume Theatre Missile Defence Cooperation. Moreover, they tasked a development of a comprehensive Joint Analysis of the future framework for broader missile defence cooperation. This work will be assessed at the June 2011 meeting of NRC Defence Ministers.

Third, participants reconfirmed a shared determination to assist in the stabilisation of Afghanistan and the whole region. In this context, they welcomed broadened transit arrangements through Russian territory for non-lethal ISAF goods, moved to expand the counter-narcotics training and decided to task a development of an NRC Helicopter Maintenance Trust Fund in 2011.

Other issues discussed included NRC cooperation on counter-terrorism, and the fight against piracy. Summing up the NRC summit, Mr Rasmussen said:

“We have agreed, together, on which security challenges NATO nations and Russia actually face today. What’s most significant is what’s not on the list: each other. The NATO nations and Russia have, today, agreed, in writing, that while we face many security challenges, we pose no threat to each other. That, alone, draws a clear line between the past and the future of NATO-Russia relations.”

Check also: Strategic Concept and the NATO-Russia Council Joint Statement at the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held in Lisbon on 20 November 2010

Source: NATO.int

Medvedev gebruikt veto tegen wet die vrijheid van betogen beperkt

Russische president Dmitri Medvedev heeft zijn veto gesteld tegen een nieuwe, door het parlement goedgekeurde wet die de vrijheid van betogen aan banden zou leggen. Het besluit van Medvedev is door oppositie en mensenrechtenverenigingen op applaus onthaald.

De goedkeuring van het wetsontwerp door de volksafvaardiging, waarin de pro-Kremlinpartijen een ruime meerderheid hebben, was bij de oppositie op zware kritiek gebotst. In de Doema zwaait Verenigd Rusland, de partij van premier Vladimir Poetin, de scepter.

De wet was op 22 oktober goedgekeurd door de Doema en op 27 oktober door de Federatieraad. Om in werking te treden was enkel nog de presidentiële handtekening nodig. Maar in een brief aan de voorzitters van beide kamers, Boris Gryzlov en Sergej Mironov, liet Medvedev weten dat hij 'de wet verwerpt'.

Volgens de president 'bevat de wet een aantal bepalingen die indruisen tegen door de grondwet gegarandeerde rechten zoals het recht op vergadering, op betogen, op staking'. 'Het houden van betogingen is een van de meest doeltreffende manieren om de activiteiten van de Staat en de plaatselijke overheden te beïnvloeden', aldus Medvedev.

bron: De Standaard

Progress in Kosovo allows for adaptation of KFOR presence

NATO has decided to adjust the KFOR presence in Kosovo. Over the next few months, KFOR will progressively reduce its presence to around 5,000 troops in total, marking one more step in the adaptation of KFOR to a deterrent presence.

The security conditions in Kosovo continue to improve, which is a positive sign not only for Kosovo, but for the whole region. Local institutions are increasingly capable of assuming responsibility for security tasks.

KFOR will remain able to deploy forces quickly and effectively whenever and wherever necessary, including with robust reserves. KFOR’s mission to guarantee a safe and secure environment in Kosovo remains unchanged.

source: NATO