Russia signs historic accord with NATO
Nato has declared Russia a limited partner in the Western alliance, embracing its former Cold War enemy as an ally in the battle against modern-day threats like terrorism.
‘‘Two former foes are now joined as partners, overcoming 50 years of division and a decade of uncertainty,’’ US President George W. Bush said as leaders of Nato’s 19 member-nations gathered with Russia yesterday to form the Nato-Russia Council.
The arrangement gives Russia a voice - but not a veto - on a range of issues including counterterrorism, the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, missile defence, arms control, peacekeeping, civil defence and search-and-rescue at sea.
‘‘We have come a long way from confrontation to dialogue, and from confrontation to cooperation,’’ Russian President Vladimir Putin said. He called the agreement ‘‘only a beginning’’ and looked ahead to a greater role for Russia in Nato.
The leaders sealed the agreement at the seaside Pratica di Mare air base in Italy.
Under the new arrangement, Russia will have more authority than in an earlier, less formal arrangement set up three years ago to try to nudge Moscow closer to the West.
Czech President Vaclav Havel, who will host for a Nato meeting in November, said the agreement marked a new era of cooperation.
‘‘Nato was originally founded as a response to my country’s subjugation by Stalin,’’ Mr Havel said.
‘‘May its summit meeting in Prague manifest to the whole world, once and for all, that the time of subjugation is over and an era of worldwide cooperation has begun.’’
The accord came four days after Mr Bush and Mr Putin signed a treaty binding both nations to reduce their nuclear arsenals by two-thirds over the next 10 years.
Nato Secretary-General Lord Robertson, who will chair the new council, opened the session by declaring: ‘‘This gathering represents the hope of a better, saner future.’’
The theme found its way into every speech.
‘‘The attacks of September 11 made clear that the new dangers of our age threaten all nations, including Russia,’’ Mr Bush said as the leaders gathered at a huge oval-shaped table.
Russia earned a seat at Nato’s tables as the alliance prepared to expand its ranks in November with as many as seven new full partners, including states bordering Russia.
