Nato restarts talks with Russia
Nato suspended talks with Russia following war with Georgia
Also In The News
|
Britain and the United States have a special reason for pursuing the terrorists responsible for last week's violence in Mumbai, US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has said. |  |
Tuesday, 02, Dec 2008 07:20
Nato has agreed to gradually resume relations with Russia that were suspended during the war with Georgia in August.
Nato secretary-general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a news conference meetings of the Nato-Russia Council would resume informally as relations between Russia and the West begin to thaw.
"Allies agreed on what I would qualify as a conditional and graduated reengagement with Russia," Mr de Hoop Scheffer said.
However, this does not change Nato's view that Russia used "disproportionate" force in its intervention, he added.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has insisted this is not "business as usual" and that the US still considered Russia's actions in August as "unacceptable".
It has also been reported the European Union has re-opened talks with Russia on a new strategic treaty which was frozen after Russia's military conflict with Georgia.
The negotiations are aimed at improving trade links with Russia and ensuring a secure supply of oil and gas to Europe.