Brussels, 23 October 1997 (RFE/RL) - The chief of Russia's armed forces general staff visited NATO headquarters in Brussels today to discuss closer cooperation and to introduce Moscow's first permanent representative to the alliance.
A NATO spokesman said Russian chief of general staff, Colonel-General Anatoly Kvashnin, and Lieutenant-General Viktor Zavarzin, named this week as Moscow's liaison officer to NATO, met with NATO Secretary General Xavier Solana and other top ranking military representatives of NATO member states.
The spokesman, Frank Salis, said today's talks displayed a serious desire on both sides to extend the cooperation pledged under the NATO-Russia Founding Act, signed in Paris in May. Salis said the two sides decided to establish a Permanent Joint Military Committee next month and to draw a schedule of visits, naval port-calls and military exercises of their armed forces.
A NATO spokesman said Russian chief of general staff, Colonel-General Anatoly Kvashnin, and Lieutenant-General Viktor Zavarzin, named this week as Moscow's liaison officer to NATO, met with NATO Secretary General Xavier Solana and other top ranking military representatives of NATO member states.
The spokesman, Frank Salis, said today's talks displayed a serious desire on both sides to extend the cooperation pledged under the NATO-Russia Founding Act, signed in Paris in May. Salis said the two sides decided to establish a Permanent Joint Military Committee next month and to draw a schedule of visits, naval port-calls and military exercises of their armed forces.