Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 15, May 1997

NATO and Russia Agree Accord

On 14 May, Russia and NATO agreed the text of a 'Founding Act' establishing the guiding principles of their relationship and setting out a number of co-operative arrangements. The Act is not a legally binding document, and thus will not require the approval of legislatures. See Documents and Sources for the full text of the Act and supporting materials, including coverage of the Act's signing by Heads of State and Government, in Paris on 27 May. See also next issue for further reaction.

Russian Defence Minister Igor Rodionov, during a visit to Washington (see below), stated on 14 May: "I think it is very good... It demonstrates the intentions of both sides to meet each other's interests."

Speaking in Moscow on 15 May, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan observed: "If [the] terms of NATO's enlargement have been coordinated in a satisfactory way and if, ultimately, this suits all, we can only welcome the end result."

Reports: Russia, NATO reach agreement, AP Online International News Wire, 14 May; NATO and Russia forge post-Cold War deal, AP Worldstream International News Wire, 14 May; President Clinton hails NATO-Russia agreement, United States Information Agency, 14 May; UN chief welcomes Russia-NATO accord, Agence France-Presse International News, 15 May.

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