Moscow, 19 May 1997 (RFE/RL)--President Boris Yeltsin told leading Russian politicians today that the new accord governing Russia-NATO relations is a balanced agreement that serves both the interests of Moscow and the alliance.
But Yeltsin warned that "if NATO begins to take decisions without taking account of Russia's opinion, Russia will review its relations with the alliance." Yeltsin was speaking to the two speakers of Russia's parliament and leaders of the major political parties. The text of the Founding Act, as it is called, was agreed last week and is to be signed in Paris next week. The agreement gives Russia a say in NATO decisions affecting Russia but no veto in other alliance matters.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Javier Solana meets U.S. President Bill Clinton, and one of the subjects they are expected to discuss is the issue of NATO's prospective new members in East and Central Europe.
But Yeltsin warned that "if NATO begins to take decisions without taking account of Russia's opinion, Russia will review its relations with the alliance." Yeltsin was speaking to the two speakers of Russia's parliament and leaders of the major political parties. The text of the Founding Act, as it is called, was agreed last week and is to be signed in Paris next week. The agreement gives Russia a say in NATO decisions affecting Russia but no veto in other alliance matters.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Javier Solana meets U.S. President Bill Clinton, and one of the subjects they are expected to discuss is the issue of NATO's prospective new members in East and Central Europe.