Nato reaches out to Russia

BRUSSELS (Reuters/AFP) - Nato proposed a new era of cooperation with Russia on Friday, calling for joint work with Moscow and Washington on missile defence after the United States scrapped a planned anti-missile system.
In a landmark speech in Brussels, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also encouraged Russia to undertake a joint review of the new security threats they face, as the basis of a new partnership between them.
We need Russia as a partner in resolving the great issues of our time, Rasmussen, Natos top politician, said in the speech at the Carnegie Endowment think-tank in Brussels.
We should explore the potential for linking the US, Nato and Russia missile defence systems at an appropriate time, he said, a day after Washington dropped plans to extend its massive missile shield into Europe.
Russias Nato envoy welcomed the Nato cooperation proposals.
I do believe that it is possible for Nato and Russia to make a new beginning and to enjoy a far more productive relationship in the future, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in his first big policy speech since taking office in August.
Rasmussen called for more cooperation on ending the conflict in Afghanistan, fighting piracy at sea and ensuring Iran does not develop nuclear arms. He also proposed a joint review of global security threats.
He gave few details of how his proposals would work but they were welcomed by Dmitry Rogozin, Russias ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and one of Moscows loudest critics of the planned US missile shield. It was very positive, very constructive and we have to analyse together all the secretary-generals proposals for the new beginning of Nato-Russia cooperation, Rogozin said.
The Nato chief urged Russia to help other global powers put the maximum possible diplomatic pressure on Iran not to develop nuclear weapons.
Many international experts believe that we are at a nuclear tipping point. If North Korea stays nuclear, and if Iran becomes nuclear, some of their neighbours might feel compelled to follow their example. Such a multi-nuclear world is not in Natos interests, and its definitely not in Russias interest either.