Documents Fixing Creation of Russia-NATO Council Signed in Rome Yesterday

Documents fixing the creation of the 'Council of 20' were signed at the Russia-NATO summit in Rome yesterday. The new council is supposed to assist in the bettering of Russia's relations with the allied countries. NATO's Secretary General George Robertson will be also the head of the newly created council, which will function at the level of Foreign and Defence Ministers and heads of states when necessary, and convene semi-annually. Meetings at the level of ambassadors will be held at least monthly or, if need be, more often.

As already mentioned, now that the Rome declaration has been signed, the previous 19+1 format will become simple 20. The first session of the council will take place in Brussels early this June.