Prime Minister Of Great Britain Comes Out For Deepening NATO-Russia Relations

The proposal of British prime minister Tony Blair, along with the initiatives of other states, will be thoroughly discussed during negotiations of Russian representatives with NATO Secretary General George Robertson in Moscow, official representative of the Russian foreign ministry Alexander Yakovenko told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. Tony Blair sent letters, on Friday, to NATO Secretary General George Robertson, Russian president Vladimir Putin and leaders of all members of the alliance with a proposal to begin discussing the deepening of NATO-Russia relations. The initiative of Blair stipulates the strengthening of NATO-Russia cooperation in such spheres as combating terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, peacekeeping operations as well as new possible threats to the world. The aim of the proposals is to change for the better relations between the alliance and Moscow. In connection with this, the British prime minister proposed that the existing format of relations within the framework of the joint permanent Russia-NATO council be liquidated and a new council -- Russia-the North Atlantic Alliance -- be created. The chief aim of the latter will be elaboration of new ways of interaction between Russia and NATO, in particular by intensifying Russia's participation in the work of the NATO committees.