British Premier Suggests Cardinal Changes In Russia-NATO Relations

Prime Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair suggested that relations between NATO and Russia should be fundamentally altered towards intensifying cooperation. RIA Novosti correspondent reports with reference to BBC that this suggestion appears in a letter dispatched by Tony Blair to leaders of Russia and all NATO members. BBC does not elaborate on when exactly Tony Blair came up with this initiative. To this BBC adds that Tony Blair suggests setting up a new Russia-NATO council where delegates of twenty countries could debate over issues of security on equal terms. This body should replace the Russia-NATO Joint Permanent Council established in 1997. The ideas of British Premier do not include admitting Russia to NATO or its participating in the integrated system of the Alliance Military Command, BBC remarks.