§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on NATO's future relations with Russia. [85052]
§ Mr. HoonNATO and Russia have for some time sought to enhance their relationship, in recognition of their mutual security interests. The establishment of the NATO-Russia Council at the Rome Summit on 28 May 2002 saw an historic transformation of that relationship, with the 19 NATO allies now working closely together with Russia as equal partners in 20 areas of common interest, such as combating terrorism, civil emergency planning and defence reform. Encouraging progress has already been made in its first six months and it is hoped that NATO and Russia can improve and expand this level of co-operation in 2003.
§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the Russian Minister of Defence. [85053]