Russian-NATO Council session outlined its priorities

The participants of the regular session of the Russian-NATO Council at the ambassadors' level have given a generally positive assessment of the cooperation development. The session of the 20 was held in Brussels on Friday.

It discussed the major directions of work before the end of the year. Russian-NATO interaction in preserving stability in the Balkans was, as usual, a centerpiece of the talks.

Russia and the NATO outlined measures for strengthening state border regimes between the Balkan states, in order to shut them more efficiently for criminals and make them more transparent for law abiding citizens.

The participants pointed out the successful activities of almost all joint working groups, in particular those on arms control and naval search-and-rescue operations. The Moscow centre for retraining retired military men, started with the NATO support, has already opened.

A number of joint events have been arranged before the end of the year. In October the NATO college in Rome will hold a seminar on military reforms, while in December Moscow is expected to host a discussion on military role in fight against terrorism that started in March in Rome.