NATO Strategic Concept.

US President Barack Obama:  the agreement “responds to the threats of our times”.

“For the first time, we have agreed to develop a missile defence capability that’s strong enough to cover all NATO European territory and populations, as well as the United States.”

The document commits NATO members “to defend one another against attack, including against new threats to the safety of our citizens”, without defining a geographical limit to its theatre of operations. The alliance would also seek to “create the conditions” for a world without nuclear weapons, but until that goal was in sight would remain a nuclear-armed organisation.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski called the new NATO strategic concept as  “satisfactory for Poland”.

Russia.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel: “A former military adversary is now clearly a partner.”

US President Barack Obama: “We look forward to working with Russia to build our cooperation with them in this area (anti-missile Shield) as well recognizing that we share many of the same threats.”

Ratification of the new START weapons treaty.

Obama: “Those who would block this treaty are breaking President Reagan’s rule — they want to trust, but not verify.”

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From the NEW official NATO Strategic Concept.  – NATO and RUSSIA –

* PAGE 5. We will actively seek cooperation on missile defence with Russia and other Euro-Atlantic partners;

* PAGE 7-8. In any future reductions, our aim should be to seek Russian agreement to increase transparency on its nuclear weapons in Europe and relocate these weapons away from the territory of  NATO members. Any further steps must take into account the disparity with the greater Russian stockpiles of short-range nuclear weapons.

* PAGE 10 – POINT 33 NATO-Russia cooperation is of strategic importance as it contributes to

creating a common space of peace, stability and security. NATO poses no threat to Russia. On the contrary: we want to see a true strategic partnership between NATO and Russia, and we will act accordingly, with the expectation of reciprocity from Russia.

* PAGE 10 – POINT 34 The NATO-Russia relationship is based upon the goals, principles and

commitments of the NATO-Russia Founding Act and the Rome Declaration, especially regarding the respect of democratic principles and the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states in the Euro-Atlantic area. Notwithstanding differences on particular issues, we remain convinced that the security of NATO and Russia is intertwined and that a strong and constructive partnership based on mutual confidence, transparency and predictability can best serve our security. We are determined to:

• enhance the political consultations and practical cooperation with Russia in areas of shared interests, including missile defence, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, counter-piracy and the promotion of wider international security;

• use the full potential of the NATO-Russia Council for dialogue and joint action with Russia.