24 May 2009 - NATO Parliamentary Assembly discusses resetting relations with Russia

Andreychuk said, “we need to explore venues to engage Russia constructively and use all platforms at our disposal,” a goal to which the report aims to contribute. The report identifies points of converging interest which can serve as the basis for a reinvigorated dialogue with Moscow, examines Russia ’s strategic priorities and domestic challenges, looks at contentious issues in NATO-Russia relations, and proposes areas upon which to build a mutually beneficial partnership.

“A successful NATO-Russia partnership is essential for tackling a host of contemporary security challenges,” said Andreychuk, who cited as examples instability in Afghanistan and Central Asia, terrorism, piracy, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and arms control.

In Afghanistan, Russia could facilitate the provision of supplies to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) through the expansion of overflight rights and the accommodation of military material transit routes “with only a minimal effort”, according to Andreychuk. From a broader perspective, she described Russia and NATO as “natural allies” regarding stabilisation in Central Asia.

While recognizing the “significant contribution” of Russia to counter-piracy efforts by deploying warships in the Gulf of Aden, she believes much more can be achieved “if, rather than acting independently, the Allies and Russia considered conducting joint operations, thus avoiding potential overlap or poor coordination.” Regarding WMD proliferation and arms control, Andreychuk sees Russia ’s attitude towards the Iranian nuclear programme and in the upcoming review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty as tests of its relationship with NATO.

“Cooperating closely on such issues where joint interests can be easily identified would serve to generate a certain amount of goodwill between NATO and Russia and should help build a basis for the improvement of relations in the other more contentious areas,” Andreychuk concluded, with the proviso that closer NATO-Russia co-operation not be directed against anyone nor come at the expense of any NATO member or Partner country.

Concrete proposals for strengthening NATO-Russia relations will be contained in the autumn version of the report to be presented at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Annual Session in Edinburgh in November.