Moscow concerned over non-participation of new NATO members in CFE Treaty

Moscow fears the appearance of a so-called "gray zone" with an uncontrolled arms build-up, Alexander Yakovenko, an official Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said at a news conference in RIA Novosti.

He noted that Moscow is worried by non-participation in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty of four new NATO members - Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia and Estonia.

Yakovenko expressed the hope that legal agreements would be reached with these countries concerning these issues.

He recalled that their joining the treaty would be discussed by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the course of his meetings in Brussels at the Russia-NATO Council sessions.